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.

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hate speech British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of hate speech

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

In addition, aggressive behavior, verbal and physical intimidation and hate speech were banned.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

"We have evidence that terrorist content and illegal hate speech is persisting on some of the largest social media sites," said Oliver Griffiths, Ofcom's online safety director.

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

Specialist officers, working with prosecutors, will be on standby to take swift decisions to arrest and charge hate speech crimes.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

Unlike the U.S., where free speech is protected by the First Amendment, Britain and most European countries have stricter laws against hate speech or calls for violence.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

“I’ll be pressuring them to have some kind of schoolwide discussion on diversity and the dangers of hate speech like this.”

From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh