hateful

adjective

hate·​ful ˈhāt-fəl 

1

: full of hate : malicious

2

: deserving of or arousing hate

hatefully

ˈhāt-fə-lē 

adverb

hatefulness noun

Synonyms

• bad [slang]
• bitchy
• catty
• cruel
• despiteful
• malevolent
• malicious
• malign
• malignant
• mean
• nasty
• spiteful
• vicious
• virulent

Examples of hateful in a Sentence

the girl's classmates were bullying her online, sending her hateful e-mails and text messages

Recent Examples on the Web

Mayo tweeted four different screenshots appearing to come from his Instagram direct messages, all expressing hateful words at the transfer guard, following the Jayhawks’ 78-73 defeat to Texas Tech. —Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 2 Mar. 2025

The students were protesting the expulsion of two students who stormed a Columbia University classroom in January and allegedly threw around flyers filled with hateful speech. —Stepheny Price, Fox News, 28 Feb. 2025

The Bibas family was targeted because Hamas is a hateful, terrorist group whose hatred of Jews surpasses their humanity. —Nicole Russell, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025

Tate has been accused of pedaling hateful views online and making his controversial lifestyle appealing to young and vulnerable audiences. —Sophie Tanno, CNN, 27 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from hate hate entry 1 + -ful -ful entry 1

First Known Use

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