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

Yes, discipline, which is not a heavy and hateful word, because discipline is what frees us. — Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2026

Headlines often focus on young people, especially teen boys and young men, who have been drawn into hateful movements, conspiracy theories or even violence after spending time in online communities. — Larry Magid, Mercury News, 30 July 2026

Those reports found that as hateful content was increasing on the platform, X ad controls weren’t working to stop big brands’ ads from appearing next to posts touting Hitler and the Nazi Party. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 29 July 2026

The league’s emphasis on off-court harassment followed a July 22 joint statement from the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association addressing an increase in racist, hateful and abusive messages directed at players. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 July 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