hate speech

noun

: speech that is intended to insult, offend, or intimidate a person because of some trait (such as race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability)

Examples of hate speech in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Anti-Defamation League, which monitors antisemitic hate speech and violence, found that 2025 was the third-highest year on record for antisemitic incidents in the United States since the ADL began tracking them. — Will Carless, USA Today, 10 July 2026

But more than half could picture quitting due to security concerns, and almost half accepted the possibility that harassment or hate speech could send them packing. — Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 8 July 2026

Her father Jean-Marie, convicted multiple times of violating France’s law prohibiting Holocaust denial and of hate speech, was synonymous with the far-right nationalist party. — Melissa Bell, CNN Money, 7 July 2026

The city also has active mental health and well-being strategies in place, the report noted, along with a formal plan to address hate speech and cyberbullying. — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 19 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1968, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hate speech

• microfiche
• overreach
• taoiseach
• beach
• beech
• bleach
• breach
• breech
• each
• keech
• leach
• leech

Legal Definition

hate speech

noun

: speech that is intended to insult, offend, or intimidate a person because of some trait (as race, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, or disability)