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

To understand why Germans at different levels of society backed Hitler, scholars often cite people’s deep commitment to Nazi ideology; the hatred of Jews, homosexuals, Romani, or Communists; or sheer psychopathic sadism. —Foreign Affairs, 14 Jan. 2025

Platforms originally designed to connect people and foster communities are being weaponized to spread hatred and violence. —Emil Sayegh, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025

Austin, a civil rights attorney who focused on policing in the Obama administration, joined the company in 2021 to help the social media giant curb racial hatred and violence on its platforms. —Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025

His nongovernmental organization has tallied about 1,800 political prisoners currently being held, many charged with terrorism or incitement of hatred. —Mie Hoejris Dahl, The Christian Science Monitor, 9 Jan. 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