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

By the end of the month, long-standing partner Adidas had cut ties with West, saying it does "not tolerate antisemitism and any other sort of hate speech".

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

The tool "will make it possible to systematically measure the presence, evolution and reach of hate speech on digital platforms" with "recognised academic criteria", Sanchez told a Madrid forum dedicated to the topic.

From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026

The trio said they opposed the hate speech laws because they were concerned its scope may be too broad.

From Barron's • Feb. 8, 2026

This time the divisions were sown by hate speech reforms introduced by the centre-left Labor government after the Bondi Beach attack.

From BBC • Feb. 7, 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