hate crime

noun

: any of various crimes (such as assault or defacement of property) when motivated by hostility to the victim as a member of a group (such as one based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability)

Examples of hate crime in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh is teaming up with Community Security Service to reduce hate crimes in local neighborhoods. — Megan Shinn, CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026

Washington state law recognizes malicious harassment, commonly referred to as a hate crime. — Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2026

Following his multiple outbursts, Galliano was convicted of committing two hate crimes in Paris and faced a fine equivalent to $8,500. — Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2026

On to the gorgeous-looking Crane Club where Erika is going to commit the absolute hate crime of eating a whole pizza on camera while still having a stomach flatter than the Alex Jones thinks the Earth is. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hate crime

• aforetime
• allozyme
• anytime
• christmastime
• cybercrime
• dinnertime
• guggenheim
• isozyme
• lysozyme
• maritime
• mesenchyme
• overtime

Kids Definition

hate crime

noun

plural hate crimes

: any of various crimes (as assault) when motivated by hostility to the victim based on social characteristics (as color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin)

Legal Definition

hate crime

noun

: a crime that violates the victim's civil rights and that is motivated by hostility to the victim's race, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender