hate speech

[heyt speech]

noun

1. speech, writing, or nonverbal communication that attacks, threatens, or insults a person or group on the basis of national origin, ethnicity, skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.

   The racist graffiti was condemned as hate speech.

hate speech

noun

1. speech disparaging a racial, sexual, or ethnic group or a member of such a group

Word History and Origins

Origin of hate speech¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Malema was convicted of hate speech less than two months ago and often lashes out at the white minority in a country where, 31 years after apartheid ended, racial tensions still run high.

From BBC

On Sept. 16, Bondi said on X that “the radical left” has for too long normalized threats and cheered on political violence, and that she would be ending that by somehow prosecuting them for “hate speech.”

From Los Angeles Times

“You hope a year from now, the turmoil we’re seeing in the aftermath of his murder won’t be leveraged to bring hate speech laws to this country,” Carlson said.

From Los Angeles Times

The social media magnate announced in January that the company, which owns Facebook and Instagram, would implement a startling fact-checking shutdown in the United States, as well as rollbacks to its hate speech policy worldwide.

From Salon

They have completely abandoned the work of fighting against hate speech directed towards women, people of color, trans people and more.

From Salon