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

Although Fang was charged in a single incident, authorities allege the defendant was responsible for a string of hateful messages found across the Northern California campus. — Seamus Bozeman, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026

In that film’s story, Insiang (Hilda Koronel) metes out revenge against Dado (Ruel Vernal), her hateful mother’s lover, who rapes her after rejecting his advances. — Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 10 July 2026

Evil Dead Burn isn’t as baldly hateful toward women as the hypersuccessful, low budget Obsession. — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 10 July 2026

After about a month, when the social media and news backlash started to settle down, Johnson said the hateful comments stopped coming in. — Elijah Polance, Hartford Courant, 5 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