harbor hatred

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "harbor hatred" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiom that means to feel, bear, or hold deep resentment or animosity toward someone or something. Example: She had been wronged and had harbored hatred for those responsible for years.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The Mets and the Yankees don't harbor hatred, not in the way the Dodgers despised the Giants' Sal Maglie and Leo Durocher.

The New York Times - Sports

Savage said that he was disappointed at the lack of journalistic objectivity, but did not harbor hatred for the writer.

Wikipedia

It said that such exhibitions could cause different groups in society to "publicly harbor hatred and hostility" toward each other and therefore pose a risk to public safety.

Huffington Post

Speaking to the broader, cosmopolitan sensibility of Saudi youth in big cities like Riyadh and Jeddah, it warns of the thin dividing line between people who harbor hatred and people who act on it.

Huffington Post

"But Lauren, why couldn't he leave when he became mortal?" My theory on that is he may still harbor hatred of the island, and maybe after he becomes bored in Hawaii, decides he wants to come back and find another way to destroy it.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

In his heart, he said, Mr. Zimmerman harbored hatred and ill will toward Mr. Martin.

The New York Times

He also points out the unfortunate consequences, both facial and spiritual, of harboring hatred.

The New Yorker

Judge Motz stressed, "Our conclusion does not mean, and we do not suggest, that any member of the General Assembly harbored hatred or animosity toward any minority group".

The New Yorker

In January, 159 of them published a petition protesting the educational reforms imposed by the government -- removing teachings like harboring hatred in your heart for non-Muslims or for Muslims not like you.

The New York Times

Fadi doesn't see anything strange about using American self-help tapes to get a job at an American company, while at the same time harboring hatred of the American government to the point of self-annihilation.

The New York Times - Magazine

The victim, Jennings Foster, blames Tapp for being in his trap and thus harbors hatred for him.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "harbor hatred" when you want to emphasize the act of holding onto and nurturing feelings of intense dislike or animosity over time.

Common error

Avoid using "harbor hatred" to describe fleeting moments of anger. This phrase is best suited for situations where the negative feelings are deeply rooted and persistent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "harbor hatred" functions as a verb phrase where "harbor" acts as a verb meaning to hold or entertain, and "hatred" is the object. According to Ludwig, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

40%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "harbor hatred" is a grammatically sound and meaningful expression that signifies holding onto and nurturing intense feelings of animosity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It appears most commonly in News & Media and Wiki sources. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the long-term and deeply rooted nature of the hatred being described. Avoid using it to describe fleeting moments of anger. Alternatives such as "hold a grudge", "bear animosity", and "nurture resentment" can be used to express similar sentiments with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bear animosity

Emphasizes a strong feeling of dislike or hostility.

have animus towards

A more formal way to express strong dislike or prejudice.

maintain antipathy

Emphasizes a consistent and long-term dislike.

hold a grudge

Focuses more on the long-lasting resentment aspect.

feel bitterness towards

Highlights the emotional experience of resentment and disappointment.

nurture resentment

Highlights the act of cultivating and maintaining the negative feeling.

nurse a grievance

Focuses on dwelling on a perceived wrong.

foster ill will

Emphasizes the growth and development of negative feelings.

hold in contempt

Expresses a feeling of superiority and disdain.

be consumed by hate

Highlights the all-encompassing nature of the hatred.

FAQs

How to use "harbor hatred" in a sentence?

You can use "harbor hatred" to describe someone who holds onto feelings of intense dislike or animosity. For example, "She had been wronged and had harbored hatred for those responsible for years."

What can I say instead of "harbor hatred"?

You can use alternatives like "hold a grudge", "bear animosity", or "nurture resentment" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "harbor hatred" or "harboring hatred"?

Both "harbor hatred" and "harboring hatred" are correct, but they function differently. "Harbor hatred" is often used as a general statement, while "harboring hatred" is used as a continuous action (e.g., "He was harboring hatred.").

What's the difference between "harbor hatred" and "feel animosity"?

"Harbor hatred" implies a more prolonged and nurtured feeling, while "feel animosity" can refer to a more immediate or situational dislike.