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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Forms of regulation range from restrictions on cigarette advertising to hate speech laws to shield laws that give journalists special rights to confidentiality. Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026 Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language. Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 21 May 2026 One of the attackers’ guns had hate speech written on it, law enforcement sources told The Times, and anti-Islamic writings were found in a vehicle. Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026 The attack is being investigated as a hate crime; according to police, the words hate speech had been scrawled on one of the weapons, and a suicide note left by one of the attackers contained discussions of racial pride. Juliette Kayyem, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for hate speech

Word History

First Known Use

1968, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hate speech was in 1968

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hate speech.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hate%20speech. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.

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)
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