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hate speech

American  
[heyt speech] / ˈheɪt ˌspitʃ /

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 British  

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of hate speech

First recorded in 1935–40

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.

Eight defendants were handed suspended sentences of four to eight months in prison, a ninth man was sentenced to six months in prison over his absence from the hearing, and a tenth person was ordered to follow a course against hate speech online.

From Barron's

In 2023, Mr Ahmed's centre was sued by Elon Musk's social media company after it reported on a rise in hate speech on the platform since the billionaire's takeover of the firm, now called X.

From BBC

The four other people targeted by the restrictions are in leadership positions at civil-society organizations that work on disinformation and hate speech, including some that have supported digital laws in Europe, Rogers said in a series of social-media posts.

From The Wall Street Journal

Australia's federal government has also flagged a suite of reforms to gun ownership and hate speech laws, as well as a review of police and intelligence services.

From Barron's

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Monday he would push for tougher laws against hate speech and extremism in the wake of the country's deadliest mass shooting in decades.

From Barron's