hateful

1 of 2

adjective

hate·​ful ˈhāt-fəl 

1

: full of hate : malicious

2

: deserving of or arousing hate

hatefully

ˈhāt-fə-lē 

adverb

hatefulness noun

hatefulness

2 of 2

noun

hate·​ful·​ness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being hateful

Synonyms of hateful

Adjective

• malicious
• vicious
• cruel
• nasty

Examples of hateful in a Sentence

Adjective

the girl's classmates were bullying her online, sending her hateful e-mails and text messages

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Calling yourself compassionate doesn't excuse dangerous accusations What, exactly, is hateful about a mother or father wanting their daughter to have a female-only locker room? — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Deputies returned to one of the homes Saturday after more hateful graffiti appeared there. — Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026

The Ostrich Army, though, dismissed the courts as corrupt and, beginning in late January 2025, started to flood CFIA offices with hateful messages and threats. — J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026

Played by a perpetually blank Ella Beatty, the daughter of Warren Beatty and Annette Bening, Lizzie is the belittled and abused daughter of a disinterested father, Andrew (Charlie Hunnam), and hateful step-mother, Abby (Rebecca Hall). — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 18 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from hate hate entry 1 + -ful -ful entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for hateful

• ungrateful
• fateful
• grateful

Kids Definition

hateful

adjective

hate·​ful ˈhāt-fəl 

1

: full of hate : malicious

hateful enemies

2

: causing or deserving hate

a hateful crime

hatefully

-fə-lē 

adverb

hatefulness noun