hate crime

noun

Synonyms of hate crimenext
: any of various crimes (such as assault or defacement of property) when motivated by hostility to the victim as a member of a group (such as one based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability)

Examples of hate crime in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Among the data released Wednesday was a report on hate crimes reported statewide last year. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026 Jon Twist, 37, was charged with one felony count of a hate crime and one felony count of criminal damage to property. — Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 2 July 2026 According to hate crime expert Brian Levin, prejudice rarely escalates overnight. — Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 The group, already one of the largest White supremacist organizations in the country, is quickly growing its membership, at a time when hate crimes are on the rise. — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for hate crime

Word History

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hate crime was in 1960

Rhymes for hate crime

See All Rhymes for hate crime

Browse Nearby Words

hateable
hate crime
hateful
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hate crime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hate%20crime. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

hate crime

noun
plural hate crimes
: any of various crimes (as assault) when motivated by hostility to the victim based on social characteristics (as color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin)

Legal Definition

hate crime

noun
: a crime that violates the victim's civil rights and that is motivated by hostility to the victim's race, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender

More from Merriam-Webster on hate crime

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for hate crime

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hate crime

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