HATRED Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

hatred

noun

ˈhā-trəd

Definition of hatred

as in contempt

a very strong dislike a lifelong hatred of war that inspired him to join a peace movement

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of hatred Christian leaders, along with the mayor of Dearborn and the chief of police, came together Monday afternoon to send out a message of unity against hatred. — Heath Kalb, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026 Palal told jurors Davis held onto a visceral hatred for Shakur for decades that drove him to speak. — Jessica Hill, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2026 When hostilities intensify and become protracted, hatred, resentment, and the desire for revenge make war self-sustaining. — Matt Waldman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2026 Now, after White delivers a prepared speech invoking hatred, fear mongering, divisiveness, love, grace, humility and Michelle Obama, the media reaction is that everyone really wishes outsiders would stop bringing non-basketball issues into the WNBA. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hatred

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hatred

Noun

Because if the objection were simply to wealth, consumerism, vanity, or profiting from attention, our contempt would be distributed much more evenly.

— Laura Jung, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2026
This behavior by a defendant is not permitted in court and is often grounds for removal from the courtroom or a contempt-of-court charge.

— Dr. Susan Hatters Friedman, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of contempt

Noun

Online threats and hate aimed at players are unforgivable, and no upside can make up for that.

— Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Several speakers also discussed the role of community engagement in responding to incidents of hate, encouraging residents to continue building relationships across cultural and religious lines.

— Hannah McIlree, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of hate

Noun

The public's mounting disdain for the tech sector could prove especially challenging for Anthropic and OpenAI, both valued at nearly $1 trillion and gearing up for potentially historic IPOs.

— Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026
Ashcroft shares further thoughts about Frank’s disdain for Francis Jr.

— Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of disdain

Noun

But your abhorrence of the outcomes of particular elections doesn’t justify your saying, Well, the hell with that.

— Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026
When human decency and basic civility fall victim to partisanship and ideology, and abhorrence of violence becomes tempered by political aims, monstrosities and tyrannies become possible.

— Michael Bloomberg, Twin Cities, 24 Sep. 2025

Definition of abhorrence

Noun

How Nelson is reformulated from one who feels desire to one who feels detestation (as well as shame for having desired) is the remarkable achievement of both the story and the storyteller and the system that requires it.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Feb. 2026
One of the most memorable chapters epitomizes her detestation for the ultra-wealthy and pompous intellectuals who rushed to rationalize her work.

— Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 20 Jan. 2024

Definition of detestation

Noun

Funding for refugee support is drying up, hostility toward Ukrainians is growing, and Poland still lacks a long-term integration strategy.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026
Iran accepted meaningful limits on its nuclear program in 2015, for instance, and reversed decades of hostility toward Saudi Arabia by normalizing ties in 2023.

— Nate Swanson, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of hostility

Browse Nearby Words

hat in hand

hatred

hats

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Hatred.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hatred. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of hatred

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes