hustled; hustling
ˈhə-s(ə-)liŋ 
; hustles
; hustles
1
2
a
: to obtain by energetic activity
—usually used with up
hustle up new customers
try to hustle up some tickets to tonight's game
hustling up some grub
b
: to sell something to or obtain something from (someone) by energetic and especially underhanded activity : swindle
hustling the suckers
an elaborate scam to hustle the elderly
c
: to sell or promote energetically and aggressively
hustling a new product
d
: to lure less skillful players into competing against oneself at (a gambling game)
hustle pool
3
a
: to make strenuous efforts to obtain especially money or business
Our quartet was out hustling … and we knew we stood good to take in a lot of change before the night was over.—
Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong
b
: to obtain money by fraud or deception
c
: to engage in sex work
4
: to play a game or sport in an alert aggressive manner
She's not the most talented player on the team, but she always hustles.
1
a
: energetic activity
I … went about the hustle of summer life.—Stephen W. Kress
Stephen W. KressYou stepped out of Penn Station into the dizzying hustle of Eighth Avenue …—Colson Whitehead
Colson WhiteheadI enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city.
b
chiefly US
: effort and energy in playing a sport
a baseball player who has been criticized for lack of hustle
The fans admire them for their hustle.
a player known more for his hustle than his talent
2
informal
: a dishonest plan for getting money : scam
Now, the secret of any hustle is that you have to have information that the other guy doesn't have.—Paul Newman
Paul Newman… a once-inspired con man on his last hustle …—Marilyn Stasio
Marilyn StasioSynonyms
Examples of hustle in a Sentence
Verb
The guards hustled the prisoners into the jail.
The star's manager hustled him out the back door of the theater to avoid the throngs of fans.
He's not the most talented player on the team, but he always hustles.
He's been hustling drugs for a few years.
They hustle diamonds, furs—whatever people are buying.
Recent Examples on the Web
Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2024
Betts hustled all the way and neither Cole nor Rizzo could adjust in time.
—Tony Blengino, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
Christina Shepherd McGuire, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Nov. 2024
Despite the hustle and bustle, or perhaps because of it, Marrakech offers a few more tranquil spaces, like the Jardin Majorelle and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum.
—Elle Benson Easton, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hustle 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
Photo : Gateway Bronco Even full-time all-wheel drive can’t prevent the power plant from chirping all four tires while hustling through the first couple of gears.
—Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2024
Betts hustled all the way and neither Cole nor Rizzo could adjust in time.
—Tony Blengino, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
As fall turns to winter and the holidays arrive, the hustle and bustle of the season’s cheer is upon us.
—Christina Shepherd McGuire, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Nov. 2024
Despite the hustle and bustle, or perhaps because of it, Marrakech offers a few more tranquil spaces, like the Jardin Majorelle and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum.
—Elle Benson Easton, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hustle
Dictionary Entries Near hustle
Cite this Entry
“Hustle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hustle. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hustle
verb
hus·tle
ˈhəs-əl
hustled; hustling
ˈhəs-(ə-)liŋ
1
: to push, crowd, or force forward roughly
hustled the prisoner to jail
2
: to move or work rapidly and tirelessly
3
: to sell something to or get something from by energetic and especially dishonest activity
hustle
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share