as in driving
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
1
as in laboring
to devote serious and sustained effort
everyone really hustled to get the project finished on schedule
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hurrying
to proceed or move quickly
we'd better hustle, or we'll miss the train
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in squeezing
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
a swindler who hustled cashiers by getting them all confused while they were making change
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of hustling
Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 10 Feb. 2026
Side hustling for job security comes at a personal cost.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
According to a transcript, under cross-examination by attorney Lee Rothman, Hennen admitted to drug dealing, gambling rip-offs, and hustling pool throughout the Northeast and Midwest.
—Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
Once paid millions per picture, Rourke now often works in low-budget genre fare and international productions, making Hollywood Hustle’s premise of stars hustling to stay afloat feel less like parody and more like reportage.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 8 Jan. 2026
During these videos, quick cuts of clips show off aspirational mornings and evenings packed with journaling, working out, meditating, cleaning, side hustling, and more.
—Jamie Wilde, Fortune, 5 Jan. 2026
Several minutes later, Acuff missed another three-point try on a fastbreak before a hustling Brazile beat the Vols to the punch and jammed in another putback score for a 24-18 Arkansas lead.
—Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 4 Jan. 2026
Leading up to the scene, the ever-hustling Mauser is rushing from one harebrained scheme to another in order to get cash to travel to Tokyo to compete in the world championships for table tennis.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2025
This unfiltered depiction of two couples experiencing drug problems on the streets of New York — hustling, scoring, surviving — isn't framed by an inspiring message of recovery.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Dec. 2025
Kyle Thomas, PEOPLE, 11 Jan. 2026
Students were hustling around campus, coming and going on the penultimate Saturday of the semester.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 15 Dec. 2025
The bubbling party scene in New York City was indeed a movie, and Puffy was hustling his way into the leading role.
—Essence, 11 Dec. 2025
Give them a moment to process the situation before hustling them out of there.
—Sara Rowe Mount, Parents, 28 Nov. 2025
On Canal Street on Thursday morning, lost tourists tripped over commuters hustling out of the subway, the grates on the souvenir stores went up, but most of the street vendors were still missing.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 23 Oct. 2025
The on-field swings were such a rarity that he was cheered on by Roberts, the Dodgers’ coaching staff and a handful of teammates and his walkup song (Michael Buble’s ‘Feeling Good’) blasted from the sound system briefly, sending photographers and cameramen hustling into action.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 16 Oct. 2025
From rushing out of the office to get party-ready, or hustling through the airport and reuniting with loved ones, to finally arriving at a glamorous night out with friends, each scene conveys merriment and personal style set against the backdrop of New York City.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2025
Alongside her siblings, one of her first moments hustling was selling drinks to visitors who were on vacation.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
The vignettes of heartbreak and hustling come with absurdist wit and an outstanding selection of beats.
—Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 10 Feb. 2026
Side hustling for job security comes at a personal cost.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
According to a transcript, under cross-examination by attorney Lee Rothman, Hennen admitted to drug dealing, gambling rip-offs, and hustling pool throughout the Northeast and Midwest.
—Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
Once paid millions per picture, Rourke now often works in low-budget genre fare and international productions, making Hollywood Hustle’s premise of stars hustling to stay afloat feel less like parody and more like reportage.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 8 Jan. 2026
During these videos, quick cuts of clips show off aspirational mornings and evenings packed with journaling, working out, meditating, cleaning, side hustling, and more.
—Jamie Wilde, Fortune, 5 Jan. 2026
Several minutes later, Acuff missed another three-point try on a fastbreak before a hustling Brazile beat the Vols to the punch and jammed in another putback score for a 24-18 Arkansas lead.
—Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 4 Jan. 2026
Leading up to the scene, the ever-hustling Mauser is rushing from one harebrained scheme to another in order to get cash to travel to Tokyo to compete in the world championships for table tennis.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2025
This unfiltered depiction of two couples experiencing drug problems on the streets of New York — hustling, scoring, surviving — isn't framed by an inspiring message of recovery.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Dec. 2025
Verb
If out of work, hustling this week and next could open doors.
—Kyle Thomas, PEOPLE, 11 Jan. 2026
Students were hustling around campus, coming and going on the penultimate Saturday of the semester.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 15 Dec. 2025
The bubbling party scene in New York City was indeed a movie, and Puffy was hustling his way into the leading role.
—Essence, 11 Dec. 2025
Give them a moment to process the situation before hustling them out of there.
—Sara Rowe Mount, Parents, 28 Nov. 2025
On Canal Street on Thursday morning, lost tourists tripped over commuters hustling out of the subway, the grates on the souvenir stores went up, but most of the street vendors were still missing.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 23 Oct. 2025
The on-field swings were such a rarity that he was cheered on by Roberts, the Dodgers’ coaching staff and a handful of teammates and his walkup song (Michael Buble’s ‘Feeling Good’) blasted from the sound system briefly, sending photographers and cameramen hustling into action.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 16 Oct. 2025
From rushing out of the office to get party-ready, or hustling through the airport and reuniting with loved ones, to finally arriving at a glamorous night out with friends, each scene conveys merriment and personal style set against the backdrop of New York City.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2025
Alongside her siblings, one of her first moments hustling was selling drinks to visitors who were on vacation.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hustling
Adjective
-
But the small lineup has helped with spacing, creating more driving lanes for Dent while also allowing Bilodeau to beat more plodding counterparts on offense.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Bring along a non-driving guest to enjoy the hotel part of the program for $350.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The son of a medical-gas plumber who worked night shifts, Darnold just kept laboring at his craft.—
Sally Jenkins,
The Atlantic,
9 Feb. 2026
-
In the summer of 2024, UNICEF’s representative in Congo suggested that 361,000 children might be laboring in mines in southern Congo, though this number seems implausibly high and drew quick opprobrium from Congolese NGOs that work on the issue.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Meza Gonzalez and David Christian, one of her attorneys, refused to answer questions from reporters about the plea agreement, hurrying down a flight of stairs at the Cadena-Reeves Justice Center.—
Megan Rodriguez,
San Antonio Express-News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
But one weekend in November, people who would typically be hurrying by, staring down at their phones, stopped.—
The Editors,
Curbed,
15 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The solar sector has been grappling with a prolonged price slump and oversupply, squeezing margins even as leading producers continue to add capacity.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
4 Feb. 2026
-
For generations, Americans who wanted orange juice without the work of squeezing fresh fruit cracked open a can and watched a cylinder of frozen juice go ker-plunk into a pitcher.—
Dee-Ann Durbin,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The cases placed a spotlight on homeschooling, but some advocates said that homeschool parents are largely highly diligent about educating their children and should not be penalized for the other cases.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2026
-
The diligent work of our law enforcement partners time and again uncovers those attempting to hide behind a computer screen.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Bear, struggling with drug addiction, had no one urging her to fight the state’s case.—
Raynee Howell,
Oklahoma Watch,
9 Feb. 2026
-
He’s trapped in rolling crises of his own making and is struggling to sell voters on the idea of a strong American economy.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
He was seated in the bow, and the momentum of the raft pushed him into the alders, where a large branch swept him out of his seat and into the rushing water.—
Emilee Coblentz,
Outside,
11 Feb. 2026
-
For many of the workers who have spent the past several days rushing home, secure jobs and fair wages are clearly high on their wish list from the changing government.—
Mayu Saini,
Sourcing Journal,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Among the reasons Belichick was not inducted are his involvement in cheating scandals, such as Spygate and Deflategate, according to ESPN.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC news,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Cornyn’s campaign responded with a taunt over Paxton’s divorce and cheating scandal.—
Sarah Bahari,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hustling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hustling. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
