hate crime

noun

: any of various crimes (such as assault or defacement of property) when motivated by hostility to the victim as a member of a group (such as one based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability)

Examples of hate crime in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The number of antisemitic hate crimes in the city makes up nearly two-thirds of the 360 hate crimes investigated in the city this year, officials said. — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2026

That same week, Woodland police announced the Safe Place program, a partnership with local businesses and organizations designed to give victims of hate crimes and harassment somewhere to seek shelter while contacting police. — Sacbee.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Officials say ignorance leads to hate crimes and a misunderstanding of Islam persists. — Carolyn Gusoff, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026

Larry Montes faces two counts of assault as a hate crime and one count of criminal mischief as a hate crime, among other charges, New York City Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch said late Friday. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 16 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hate crime

• aforetime
• allozyme
• anytime
• christmastime
• cybercrime
• dinnertime
• guggenheim
• isozyme
• lysozyme
• maritime
• mesenchyme
• overtime

Kids Definition

hate crime

noun

plural hate crimes

: any of various crimes (as assault) when motivated by hostility to the victim based on social characteristics (as color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin)

Legal Definition

hate crime

noun

: a crime that violates the victim's civil rights and that is motivated by hostility to the victim's race, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender