hatred

noun

ha·​tred ˈhā-trəd 

1

: extreme dislike or disgust : hate

2

: ill will or resentment that is usually mutual : prejudiced hostility or animosity

old racial prejudices and national hatreds

—Peter Thomson

Synonyms

• abhorrence
• abomination
• detestation
• execration
• hate
• loathing

Examples of hatred in a Sentence

He had an irrational fear and hatred of foreigners.

She makes no attempt to conceal her hatred for her opponents.

This troubled city is filled with hatred, prejudice, crime, and fear.

The war was fueled by hatreds that were centuries old.

Recent Examples on the Web

In fact, her personal hatred of gripping challenges even served as her Survivor hot take below. —Dalton Ross, EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025

That ecstatic communal experience is a glorious moment of freedom for oppressed people, most of them living hand-to-mouth in an environment of hatred and exploitation. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025

The irony of those who claim to hate Trump because of his policies are directing their hatred at a recent idol merely because that idol is now working with our president. —Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025

One recurring plot tension involves Rocket Raccoon’s hatred of water. —Luke Winkie, Vulture, 1 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English hatrede, from hate hate entry 1 + -rede, suffix denoting state or quality, going back to Old English -rǣden — more at kindred entry 2

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hatred

• self-hatred

Kids Definition

hatred

noun

ha·​tred ˈhā-trəd 

: hate entry 1 sense 1