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

All of the hatred and violence of their relationship all culminated in this moment. —Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Dec. 2024

But this act also gave people permission to go far enough—to acknowledge their righteous hatred of our depraved health-care system, and even to conjure something funny or silly or joyous out of that hate. —Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2024

The promise comes several days after a man accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson said he was motivated by hatred of that system ‒ a hatred apparently shared by many people who have taken to social media in the days since the Dec. 4 killing. —Phaedra Trethan, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024

No hatred here, but two titans of the game squaring off. —Dalton Ross, EW.com, 12 Dec. 2024

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