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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hateful
Once, an Iowa State Cyclones fan account posted a picture of Crooks at the state fair with a steer, and the onslaught of hateful comments that followed was too much; the picture disappeared.
—
Lyz Lenz, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2026
This last sneak peek serves up heaps of colorful heroic set pieces as He-Man recruits a fearsome force to storm Castle Greyskull and reclaim the throne from his hateful nemesis.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 26 May 2026
Speaking at a news conference with San Diego police and the FBI the day after the shooting, the Islamic Center’s imam said the mosque was accustomed to receiving hate mail, hateful messages online and hearing passing drivers scream and curse at community members.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2026
This is a direct result of the misinformation and hateful rhetoric being pushed by our federal government and some state officials, who choose division over unity and fear over truth.
—Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hateful
Lyz Lenz, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2026
This last sneak peek serves up heaps of colorful heroic set pieces as He-Man recruits a fearsome force to storm Castle Greyskull and reclaim the throne from his hateful nemesis.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 26 May 2026
Speaking at a news conference with San Diego police and the FBI the day after the shooting, the Islamic Center’s imam said the mosque was accustomed to receiving hate mail, hateful messages online and hearing passing drivers scream and curse at community members.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2026
This is a direct result of the misinformation and hateful rhetoric being pushed by our federal government and some state officials, who choose division over unity and fear over truth.
—Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hateful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hateful
Adjective
-
The malicious prosecution claim was dismissed after Levine’s attorneys failed to object to a motion for summary judgment to dismiss the final charge.—
Jack Harvel,
Kansas City Star,
11 June 2026
-
The Knicks also got their revenge on Wembanyama, who went unpenalized for a malicious, above-the-shoulders shove on Brunson in Game 3.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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The tabloids have been extra vicious of late regarding your family strife.—
Marlow Stern,
Variety,
12 June 2026
-
Firefighters faced vicious winds and, at times, 30-foot flames.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
Still, the simple story — written by Jordan Tannahill, who adapted his own book, and directed by Janicza Bravo — illustrates various destructive choices and cruel actions ostensibly driven by love.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
12 June 2026
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Here is the part that feels especially cruel.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
Adjective
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Yet thieves have found a nasty workaround.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
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The nasty spat culminated in April when Shell agreed to resign as president of Paramount Skydance to concentrate on his legal headache.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hateful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hateful. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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