hateful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hateful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that expresses or is characterized by hatred or animosity. Example: "The comments on the post were so hateful that they prompted the platform to take action against the user."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A more promising line of argument for Wang is his appropriation of an example from the Great Learning (Commentary 6), which suggests that loving the good is "like loving a lovely sight," while hating evil is "like hating a hateful odor" (Tiwald and Van Norden 2014, 191).

SEP

It is like hating a hateful odor, or loving a lovely sight.

SEP

As Zhu Xi explains, "…those who desire to cultivate themselves, when they know to do good in order to avoid the bad, must then genuinely make an effort and forbid self deception, making their hatred of the [ethically] hateful be like their hating a hateful odor, and their loving what is good like their loving a lovely sight" (Tiwald and Van Norden 2014, 192).

SEP

A series of border clashes claimed lives of dozens of soldiers and led thousands of civilians on both sides to flee the area.This ruling opens the door to transforming what has been called a love-hate relationship between two neighbours into something less passionate (less hateful, in particular).

The Economist

I don't believe in violence, but he was hateful".

The Guardian - Music

Provocative and hateful newspaper reports about 'two-wheeled terrorists' merely stir up tribalism - basic, brutal and bad.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Dov Charney said the company he founded 25 years ago, and which became known for its Made in the USA fashion items, had embarked on a "grotesque" and "hateful" campaign against him.

The Guardian - Business

Three years later – and 75 years ago tomorrow – Izbicki stood on the balcony of his home on Invalidenstrasse and watched as the pogrom that would come to be known as Kristallnacht – the night of broken glass – gathered its hateful momentum.

The Guardian

"Peach coloured ballet slippers, nude coloured tights, white powdered bodies, these innocuous seeming traditions may not be consciously hateful, but they are exclusive.

The Guardian

"I think it's highly unusual that a board – any board – would indulge in such a hateful PR campaign against its founder.

The Guardian - Business

But if it was negligible as a contest, as an act of courage it was heart-stirringly impressive – a 16-year-old girl who has never before been permitted to compete internationally, defying the hateful abuse she has received and daring to become the first woman from her country to take part in the Games.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hateful", ensure the context clearly supports the strong negative connotation. Overuse can dilute its impact, so reserve it for situations where intense dislike or animosity is genuinely present.

Common error

Avoid using "hateful" to describe situations that are merely annoying or inconvenient. Reserve it for scenarios involving genuine malice or intense animosity. For less severe cases, consider words like "unpleasant" or "disagreeable".

Linguistic Context

The adjective "hateful" primarily functions to describe something that evokes or is characterized by hatred. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in modifying nouns to express strong negative emotions or attitudes. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hateful" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective that describes something evoking or characterized by hatred. Ludwig AI confirms this. Its primary function is to express strong disapproval or condemnation across various registers, though predominantly in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. To maintain precision and impact, it's important to reserve this term for situations where intense dislike or animosity is genuinely present.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

full of hate

This alternative directly replaces the single adjective with a prepositional phrase, maintaining the core meaning of expressing hatred.

filled with animosity

This phrase shifts from simple hate to a broader sense of deep-seated ill will, implying a more complex emotional state.

expressing hatred

This option focuses on the act of showing hate, rather than the state of being hateful, changing the emphasis slightly.

riddled with malice

This phrase intensifies the negativity, suggesting a pervasive and deep-rooted malevolence.

utterly detestable

This alternative uses a stronger adjective to amplify the feeling of hate, implying something extremely unpleasant.

revolting and offensive

This option broadens the description to include both disgust and causing offense, rather than focusing solely on hatred.

abhorrent in nature

This phrase elevates the description to a more formal register, emphasizing the intrinsic repulsiveness of something.

virulent and spiteful

This alternative suggests a poisonous and vindictive quality, adding layers of intensity to the negative sentiment.

consumed by resentment

This phrase focuses on the internal state of being consumed by negative feelings, rather than outward expression.

motivated by animus

This alternative uses a more formal and less common term for hatred, shifting the tone to a more intellectual register.

FAQs

How can I use "hateful" in a sentence?

You can use "hateful" to describe something that evokes or is full of hatred. For example, "The "hateful comments" directed toward people who look like me are divisive, and they are alienating."

What words are similar to "hateful"?

Similar words include "vile", "obnoxious", "hideous", "abominable", "loathsome", "disgusting", and "detestable". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something is "hateful"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Hateful" is an adjective that means evoking or full of hatred. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that the word is used correctly in various contexts.

What is the difference between "hateful" and "despicable"?

"Hateful" describes something that inspires hatred, while "despicable" describes something worthy of contempt or scorn. "Hateful" focuses on the emotion it evokes, while "despicable" focuses on the moral judgment of the thing itself.