hatred

noun

ha·​tred ˈhā-trəd 

1

: extreme dislike or disgust : hate

2

: ill will or resentment that is usually mutual : prejudiced hostility or animosity

old racial prejudices and national hatreds

—Peter Thomson

Synonyms

• contempt
• hate
• distaste
• disdain
• loathing
• abhorrence
• detestation
• hostility
• spite
• abomination
• disgust

Examples of hatred in a Sentence

He had an irrational fear and hatred of foreigners.

She makes no attempt to conceal her hatred for her opponents.

This troubled city is filled with hatred, prejudice, crime, and fear.

The war was fueled by hatreds that were centuries old.

Recent Examples on the Web

It's been very difficult to see just how much of this hatred has been normalized. —Leila Fadel, NPR, 1 July 2025

Period drama enthusiasts will be interested to know that Wright set the movie in the late-18th century instead of the early-19th century in part because of his hatred of empire waist dresses. —Lia Beck, EW.com, 25 June 2025

The sailor doesn’t really redeem himself, and Peter’s initial hatred of him has only been transformed into indifference. —Benjamin Hale june 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025

Blood and hatred in the air every night (except against the Rockies, of course). —Andy McCullough, New York Times, 18 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English hatrede, from hate hate entry 1 + -rede, suffix denoting state or quality, going back to Old English -rǣden — more at kindred entry 2

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hatred

• self-hatred

Kids Definition

hatred

noun

ha·​tred ˈhā-trəd 

: hate entry 1 sense 1