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 answer is yes, given that the Supreme Court has consistently protected hate speech under the First Amendment. —Sheldon Jacobson, Twin Cities, 30 Jan. 2026

Instead of shutting off the internet due to hybrid warfare in Sudan, the Thomson Foundation calls for more moderation by social media platforms, including quickly blocking fake accounts and reducing the reach of hate speech. —Christine Ro, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026

But Grymes, who is not Jewish, has noticed a significant uptick in hate speech directed at his social media posts. —Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 27 Jan. 2026

In a world filled with harsh rhetoric and hate speech online, the Connecticut state attorney general recently posted a simple video of himself with a 5-month-old puppy his family was taking care of. —Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 22 Jan. 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)