Hustle vs. Hassle — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 19, 2023
Hustle refers to energetic activity or hard work, often for success. Hassle denotes an irritating inconvenience or disturbance. Both imply effort, but hustle is typically positive while hassle is negative.
Difference Between Hustle and Hassle
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Key Differences
Hustle often denotes eager activity, determination, or hard work aimed at achieving a goal. On the other hand, hassle represents a situation causing annoyance or inconvenience. While hustle is about making things happen, hassle is about facing unwanted obstructions.
The spirit of hustle is celebrated in entrepreneurial circles, applauding those who go the extra mile to succeed. In contrast, hassle is something most individuals wish to avoid, as it brings unnecessary complications or disturbances to their routine.
Hustle can be associated with commendable traits like perseverance and ambition, pushing boundaries for growth. Hassle, meanwhile, suggests something burdensome, highlighting problems rather than solutions. Hustle drives progress, while hassle impedes it.
People often admire the hustle of successful individuals who have climbed the ladder of success with hard work. However, the same admiration doesn't extend to hassles, which are seen as irritating roadblocks that need to be resolved or sidestepped.
In common parlance, one might say they respect someone's hustle, acknowledging their dedication and drive. In contrast, sharing about a recent hassle would typically solicit sympathy, as it's seen as an unwelcome challenge.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Energetic activity, hard work
Annoying inconvenience or disturbance
Connotation
Positive, proactive
Negative, reactive
Related to
Ambition, determination
Problems, disturbances
Typical Usage
Celebrating effort, work ethic
Describing complications, annoyances
Association with Effort
Effort directed towards success, achievement
Effort required due to obstacles
Compare with Definitions
Hustle
To obtain by energetic activity.
She managed to hustle a few deals at the trade fair.
Hassle
Bother or harass someone.
The teacher asked the students not to hassle the substitute.
Hustle
Fast-paced or hurried movement.
With the event starting soon, there was a lot of hustle around.
Hassle
Unnecessary complications.
He wanted a simple solution without any hassle.
Hustle
A form of dance characterized by quick steps.
The disco era popularized the hustle dance.
Hassle
A heated argument or dispute.
The neighbors had a hassle over the property line.
Hustle
Push roughly; jostle
They were hissed and hustled as they went in
Hassle
Hassle is a location at Örebro Municipality in Örebro County, Sweden. It was the site of the discovery of the Hassle treasure.
Hustle
Obtain illicitly or by forceful action
Linda hustled money from men she met
Hassle
Irritating inconvenience
Travelling can be a hassle
The hassle of child care
Hustle
Engage in prostitution
She would hustle for a few dollars
Hassle
Harass; pester
You want to sit and relax and not get hassled
Hustle
A state of great activity
The hustle and bustle of the big cities
Hassle
An argument or a fight.
Hustle
A fraud or swindle
The hustles being used to avoid the draft
Hassle
Trouble; bother.
Hustle
To move or act energetically and rapidly
We hustled to get dinner ready on time.
Hassle
To argue or fight
Customers hassling with merchants over high prices.
Hustle
To push or force one's way.
Hassle
To bother or harass
Street gangs hassling passersby.
Hustle
To act aggressively, especially in business dealings.
Hassle
Trouble, bother, unwanted annoyances or problems.
I went through a lot of hassle to be the first to get a ticket.
Hustle
To obtain something by deceitful or illicit means; practice theft or swindling.
Hassle
A fight or argument.
Hustle
To solicit customers. Used of a pimp or prostitute.
Hassle
An action which is not worth the difficulty involved.
Hustle
To misrepresent one's ability in order to deceive someone, especially in gambling.
Hassle
(transitive) To trouble, to bother, to annoy.
The unlucky boy was hassled by a gang of troublemakers on his way home.
Hustle
To push or convey in a hurried or rough manner
Hustled the prisoner into a van.
Hassle
(transitive) To pick a fight or start an argument with.
Hustle
To cause or urge to proceed quickly; hurry
Hustled the board into a quick decision.
Hassle
To engage in a mock dogfight.
Hustle
To sell or get by questionable or aggressive means
Hustled stolen watches.
Hustling spare change.
Hassle
(Philippines) hassling; hasslesome
Hustle
To pressure into buying or doing something
A barfly hustling the other customers for drinks.
Hassle
An inconvenience caused by difficulties encountered trying to accomplish a task; as, finding a parking place in midtown is always a hassle.
Hustle
To misrepresent one's skill in (a game or activity) in order to deceive someone, especially in gambling
Hustle pool.
Hassle
Disorderly fighting; an angry dispute or disturbance.
Hustle
The act or an instance of jostling or shoving.
Hassle
To dispute or quarrel, often over petty disagreements.
Hustle
Energetic activity; drive.
Hassle
To expend excessive time and energy trying to accomplish a task.
Hustle
(Slang) An illicit or unethical way of doing business or obtaining money; a fraud or deceit
"the most dangerous and wide-open drug hustle of them all" (Newsweek).
Hassle
To repeatedly annoy; as, He is known to hassle his staff when he is overworked.
Hustle
To push someone roughly; to crowd; to jostle.
Hassle
An angry disturbance;
He didn't want to make a fuss
They had labor trouble
A spot of bother
Hustle
(intransitive) To rush or hurry.
I'll have to hustle to get there on time.
Hassle
Disorderly fighting
Hustle
(transitive) To bundle; to stow something quickly.
Hassle
Annoy continually or chronically;
He is known to harry his staff when he is overworked
This man harasses his female co-workers
Hustle
(transitive) To con, swindle, or deceive; especially financially.
The guy tried to hustle me into buying into a bogus real estate deal.
Hassle
Annoying inconvenience or trouble.
Getting a visa turned out to be a major hassle.
Hustle
To play deliberately badly at a game or sport in an attempt to encourage players to challenge.
Hassle
Undue stress or frustration.
Fixing the old car has become more of a hassle than it's worth.
Hustle
(informal) To obtain by illicit or forceful action.
Hustle
(informal) To sell sex; to work as a pimp.
Hustle
(informal) To be a prostitute; to exchange use of one's body for sexual purposes for money.
Hustle
To dance the hustle, a disco dance.
Hustle
(informal) To work.
Hustle
(informal) To put a lot of effort into one's work.
Hustle
A state of busy activity.
Hustle
A propensity to work hard and get things done; ability to hustle.
Hustle
(preceded by definite article) A type of disco dance, commonly danced to the Van McCoy song The Hustle.
Hustle
(prison slang) An activity, such as prostitution or reselling stolen items, that a prisoner uses to earn money in prison.
Hustle
(slang) An act of prostitution.
Hustle
To shake together in confusion; to push, jostle, or crowd rudely; to handle roughly; as, to hustle a person out of a room.
Hustle
To push or crows; to force one's way; to move hustily and with confusion; a hurry.
Leaving the king, who had hustled along the floor with his dress worfully arrayed.
Hustle
A swindle in which you cheat at gambling or persuade a person to buy worthless property
Hustle
A rapid bustling commotion
Hustle
Cause to move furtively and hurriedly;
The secret service agents hustled the speaker out of the amphitheater
Hustle
Move or cause to move energetically or busily;
The cheerleaders bustled about excitingly before their performance
Hustle
Sell something to or obtain something from by energetic and especially underhanded activity
Hustle
Energetic effort or activity towards a goal.
His daily hustle helped him build a successful business.
Common Curiosities
What does hassle typically represent?
Hassle represents an annoying inconvenience or disturbance.
What does hustle imply?
Hustle implies energetic effort, typically towards achieving success.
Is hustling always about business?
No, hustle can apply to any area of life where effort and ambition are shown.
Can someone hustle without a clear goal?
Yes, but having a clear goal usually gives direction to one's hustle.
Can hustle be negative?
While hustle is generally positive, overdoing it can lead to burnout or unethical behavior.
Are all hassles avoidable?
No, some hassles are unforeseen and unavoidable.
Is the phrase "side hustle" about a secondary job?
Yes, it typically refers to a job or endeavor undertaken in addition to one's primary job.
Is a hassle always a bad experience?
Not always; sometimes, it's just a temporary inconvenience.
Does everyone appreciate the hustle?
While many do, some may value relaxation or balance over constant hustle.
Can anything positive come out of a hassle?
Yes, overcoming a hassle can lead to learning and growth.
Can hustle be learned?
While some are naturally driven, elements of hustle, like determination and work ethic, can be cultivated.
Are there tools to reduce hassles in daily life?
Yes, things like planners, apps, or delegation can reduce daily hassles.
Does a successful hustle always guarantee success?
No, but it increases the chances of achieving desired outcomes.
What's a common synonym for hassle?
"Nuisance" is a common synonym.
Can a hassle turn into an opportunity?
Yes, resolving a hassle can lead to innovation or improved solutions.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
