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

It was founded by Le Pen's father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, who repeatedly denied the Holocaust and was convicted multiple times of hate speech before his death in 2025. — ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026

It was founded by Le Pen’s father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, who repeatedly denied the Holocaust and was convicted multiple times of hate speech before his death in 2025. — John Leicester, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

Speaking with Dakich, Pearl argued that Macklemore's messaging crosses from political commentary into overt hate speech. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026

An argument has been made that Kanye’s show doesn’t include any political messaging, coupled with Kraft’s assertion that Macklemore’s comment constitutes hate speech. — Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 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)