1
a
: intense hostility and aversion usually deriving from fear, anger, or sense of injury
c
: a systematic and especially politically exploited expression of hatred
a crime motivated by bigotry and hate
—often used before another nounhate mail
an organization tracking hate groups
see also hate crime
2
: an object of hatred
a generation whose finest hate had been big business—
F. L. Paxson
hated; hating
1
: to feel extreme enmity toward : to regard with active hostility
hates his country's enemies
2
: to have a strong aversion to : find very distasteful
hated to have to meet strangers
hate hypocrisy
: to express or feel extreme enmity or active hostility
harsh faces and hating eyes—Katherine A. Porter
Synonyms
Examples of hate in a Sentence
Noun
These crimes are motivated by prejudice and hate.
They have been unable to overcome their hates and fears.
Verb
He was a cruel tyrant who was hated and feared by his people.
She hated them for betraying her.
They were political rivals who truly hated each other.
What is it that you hate about him most?
children whose families have taught them to hate
They hate being apart from each other.
I hate the idea of leaving my mother alone all week.
Recent Examples on the Web
Skyler Swisher, Orlando Sentinel, 29 Nov. 2024
That element doesn’t come from a single source, however, but from all the core characters chiming in on the main duo’s love/hate bromance.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 28 Nov. 2024
Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2024
In other moments, the masses seem to turn on them and even hate them.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hate 
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Noun
If open carry is passed, hate groups could exploit the law to display their guns in a public show of force, said state Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando.
—Verb
Views of the 47th president, from the ground up
Love him or hate him — most folks seem to do one or the other — Trump promises a highly consequential and potent presidency.
—Dictionary Entries Near hate
Cite this Entry
“Hate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hate. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.
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