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

See Examples For:

hate speech

"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

The company's transparency report for the second half of 2025 said TikTok received 56,549 user reports of illegal content relating to hate speech in the EU, with 88.7% reviewed within 24 hours.

From BBC ● May 28, 2026

That includes for the first time making organisers legally responsible for ensuring invited speakers do not break hate speech laws.

From Barron's ● May 16, 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