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

---

Etymology

Origin of hate speech

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

South Africa's laws prohibiting hate speech and incitement to violence mostly predate modern social media platforms, said Kimal Harvey, an attorney at the Legal Resources Centre.

From Barron's • Jun. 19, 2026

"These interests converge around xenophobic civil unrest," co-founder Kyle Findlay said at a Johannesburg event against hate speech this week.

From Barron's • Jun. 19, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 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

“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