hatred
B2Can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it denotes a strong emotion; more common in serious, analytical, or emotional discourse.
Definition
Meaning
An intense feeling of dislike or animosity; a strong, enduring aversion.
A deep-seated, often irrational, hostility that can be directed towards individuals, groups, ideas, or situations, sometimes persisting over long periods.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Denotes a more intense and enduring emotion than 'dislike' or 'aversion'. Implies a degree of passion or malice. Often contextualised by what it is directed towards (e.g., hatred *of* injustice, hatred *for* an individual).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Identical connotations of strong, active dislike. In both varieties, it is a powerful, emotionally charged word.
Frequency
Used with similar frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
hatred of [noun/gerund]hatred for [noun]hatred towards [noun]hatred between [nouns]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Hatred is blind.”
- “To be consumed with/by hatred.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; might appear in contexts describing corporate rivalry or severe workplace conflict (e.g., 'a culture of mutual hatred').
Academic
Common in sociology, psychology, history, and political science to describe social conflicts, prejudice, and intense group dynamics.
Everyday
Used to express very strong personal dislike or condemnation (e.g., 'I feel nothing but hatred for that policy').
Technical
Not typically used in STEM fields unless in a metaphorical or human-centric context (e.g., discussing 'hate speech' in computer moderation).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He was widely hated for his cruel policies.
- I hate it when the train is delayed.
American English
- She hated having to move to a new city.
- They hate the new tax laws.
adverb
British English
- He stared hatefully at his rival.
- She spoke hatefully about her former friend.
American English
- He glared hatefully across the courtroom.
- The critic wrote hatefully about the artist's work.
adjective
British English
- He gave her a hateful glare across the room.
- The online comments were hateful and abusive.
American English
- She received a hateful letter in the mail.
- It was a hateful thing to say.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She felt hatred for the bully.
- His hatred of carrots is funny.
- There is a lot of hatred between the two rival teams.
- Her hatred of lies made her very honest.
- The political speech was designed to incite hatred against immigrants.
- His deep-seated hatred of authority figures began in childhood.
- The novel explores the cyclical nature of hatred and vengeance in feudal societies.
- Sociologists study how economic disparity can foster mutual hatred between social classes.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
HAT + RED. Imagine a bright RED HAT that you intensely dislike; every time you see it, you feel strong HATRED.
Conceptual Metaphor
HATRED IS A DISEASE / POISON (e.g., 'consumed by hatred', 'the poison of hatred'). HATRED IS FIRE (e.g., 'burning with hatred').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'hate' (verb: ненавидеть). 'Hatred' is only a noun (ненависть).
- Avoid over-translating milder Russian dislikes (e.g., 'неприязнь') as 'hatred', which is stronger.
- The preposition pattern is important: 'hatred of/for', not 'hatred to'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I have a hatred to him.' Correct: 'I have a hatred for/of/towards him.'
- Incorrect pronunciation: /ˈhætrɛd/ (like 'hat' + 'red' separately). Correct: /ˈheɪtrɪd/.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes the core meaning of 'hatred'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is primarily an uncountable noun. You don't say 'hatreds', except in very literary contexts to mean different types or instances of hatred (e.g., 'the ancient hatreds of the region').
They are largely synonymous. 'Hatred' is often considered slightly more formal and is almost exclusively used as a noun. 'Hate' as a noun can be identical in meaning but is also common in modern compounds like 'hate speech' or 'hate crime'.
It's less common but not incorrect. 'Hatred for', 'hatred of', and 'hatred towards' are more standard collocations. 'Against' is more frequently used with the verb 'hate' or in the phrase 'incite hatred against'.
In standard usage, yes. It describes a powerfully negative emotion. However, in some rhetorical contexts, it can be framed positively, e.g., 'a righteous hatred of oppression'.