hatred
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
- prehatred noun
- self-hatred noun
Etymology
Origin of hatred
Explanation
The noun hatred means to feel a strong emotional dislike toward something or someone. You feel hatred of people who have done terrible things to you, or books about too-perfect teens. Hatred comes from Old English hete, which means "hate," plus the suffix red (ræden), which means "the condition of." If you find after twenty years of marriage you no longer like your husband, you may be able to work it out. If you feel hatred towards him, your differences may be irreconcilable.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The organisation welcomed the decision and said it should act as a "precedent for others who chose to promote disinformation and hatred".
From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026
These numbers reflect concerns over military conduct, human rights and U.S. foreign policy, not hatred toward Jewish people.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026
“My focus was on not understanding war and hatred and bigotry,” she says.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026
"All they stand for is anger, hatred, and destruction," roared a hoarse Viktor Orban.
From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026
Strongest of all, he sensed its hatred: hatred for him and for the thing he bore.
From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
