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

Supporters, including some Jewish students, say the definition would help distinguish between free speech and hate speech. —Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 22 Oct. 2025

Officers also recovered laminated fliers with hate speech from the 400 block of Fry Street the same afternoon. —Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 22 Oct. 2025

The country that led in tech innovation has failed to lead in safety guardrails that could help communities deal with online privacy, hate speech, disinformation, and abuse. —John Wihbey, Time, 20 Oct. 2025

Meanwhile, amid ongoing political violence on either side of the historically contentious border, a rise in unfettered hate speech on social media has further fractured the countries’ diasporas. —Hannah Giorgis Yohannes, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025

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)