as in malicious
having or showing a desire to cause someone pain or suffering for the sheer enjoyment of it
the girl's classmates were bullying her online, sending her hateful e-mails and text messages
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hateful
For generations, students have learned about complex historical figures who, despite their positive contributions to society, were inarguably problematic, hateful or bigoted while alive.
—
Kristy Hutchings, Daily News, 29 Mar. 2026
Why would the Sun Sentinel print opinions clearly based on nothing but hateful personal feelings?
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
In it, Theroux meets a family at the heart of the Westboro Baptist Church – a virulently homophobic group known for its hateful protests.
—Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 25 Mar. 2026
Flanked by faith leaders, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard spoke to reporters Thursday, March 19, saying that hate against Jewish people is a serious problem that needs to be curbed because hateful rhetoric can lead to violence.
—Niraj Warikoo, Freep.com, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hateful
Kristy Hutchings, Daily News, 29 Mar. 2026
Why would the Sun Sentinel print opinions clearly based on nothing but hateful personal feelings?
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
In it, Theroux meets a family at the heart of the Westboro Baptist Church – a virulently homophobic group known for its hateful protests.
—Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 25 Mar. 2026
Flanked by faith leaders, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard spoke to reporters Thursday, March 19, saying that hate against Jewish people is a serious problem that needs to be curbed because hateful rhetoric can lead to violence.
—Niraj Warikoo, Freep.com, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hateful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hateful
Adjective
-
Benjamin Parris, also 19, of Greenville, South Carolina, is charged with two counts of malicious destruction of property of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000 and two counts of conspiracy to commit malicious destruction of property of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000.—
Joseph Buczek,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Instead of using obvious malicious code, the attackers built the installer with legitimate tools and layered the attack in stages.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Now, is that the same as a soldier betting on the capture of a vicious dictator?—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Beijing has long struggled to drive domestic consumption, while brutal competition in many industries has pushed producers to cut prices, triggering a vicious cycle in which people hold off on purchases in anticipation of coming discounts.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In what neatly encapsulates the uncomfortable, rude, thin-skinned yet cruel, sarcastic and ultimately juvenile communication style of his online brood, the leader of the pack started with — what else — Lawrence’s looks.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Every day in New York City, thousands of home attendants are being forced to work cruel 24-hour shifts while being paid for only 13 of those hours.—
Christopher Marte,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The duo made up for the absence of Wembanyama, who did not clear concussion protocol after a nasty fall knocked him out early from a Game 2 loss.—
Christian Clark,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Lomu did not fit the typical profile Mike Vrabel seeks in linemen, players with a nasty streak and fierce play demeanor.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hateful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hateful. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
