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 of hatred

• 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

The sandbox was where children played with no regard to race, religion or hatred. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2026

But there’s no axe to grind, no palpable feelings of hatred on the pages, even towards Kelly. —Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2026

Global leaders reflected on rising antisemitism and the need for unity to combat hatred and war, drawing parallels to defeating Nazism in 1945. —Vanessa Gera, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026

The annual global event remembers the 6 million Jewish victims and millions of other victims and the commitment to stand against hatred and intolerance. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026

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