as in malicious
having or showing a desire to cause someone pain or suffering for the sheer enjoyment of it
the girl's classmates were bullying her online, sending her hateful e-mails and text messages
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Recent Examples of hateful
But there also are fears that the focus on Israel is the leading edge of an antisemitic fringe that has gained ground by portraying Jews as shadowy manipulators, echoing some of history’s most hateful tropes.
—
Thomas Beaumont, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Dark humor and action are contrasted with the hateful rhetoric of the government and the indifference of the fictional show’s producers to create a unique proposition on the international TV market.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2026
That being said, its professional technical aspects just add to the impression that this is a glib and insincere effort, trying to graft a fun moviegoing experience onto a depressing story about hateful people reveling in each other’s pain.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 16 Mar. 2026
The situation reflects the extent of the First Amendment's reach and how hateful and obscene speech can exist freely, even on a government's social media pages.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hateful
Thomas Beaumont, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Dark humor and action are contrasted with the hateful rhetoric of the government and the indifference of the fictional show’s producers to create a unique proposition on the international TV market.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2026
That being said, its professional technical aspects just add to the impression that this is a glib and insincere effort, trying to graft a fun moviegoing experience onto a depressing story about hateful people reveling in each other’s pain.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 16 Mar. 2026
The situation reflects the extent of the First Amendment's reach and how hateful and obscene speech can exist freely, even on a government's social media pages.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hateful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hateful
Adjective
-
The settlement resolves a 2023 lawsuit in which Flynn sought at least $50 million and asserted that the criminal case against him amounted to a malicious prosecution.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The most dire real-life cyberattacks on hospitals involve ransomware, a class of malicious software that encrypts data and locks down computers and networks, demanding significant amounts of cash for the promise of relief.—
Jeffrey Tully,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Surrounded by vicious and violent hitmen that have been pressed into service as childcare, Juan Pablo must reckon with his father's crumbling power and find his own way in the world after his death.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
-
This vicious cycle increases until the energy is released essentially in an explosion.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Some countries have laws administering what critics believe are cruel punishments or place undue restrictions on women and minorities.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Mar. 2026
-
While Tony coddles his own bruised ego, there is clearly a greater reason for the cruel hijinks, which comes in the form of some significant cash.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In the especially nasty autumn of 1954, women in June Cleaver dresses and gas masks protested outside the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
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The show excels at casting a spell through odd details, nasty red herrings, disturbing clues.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hateful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hateful. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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