Word
hateful
Phoneticshate·ful, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈheɪtfəɫ/
UK/hˈeɪtfəl/
Definitions
01causing strong dislike
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. very unpleasant or cruel, making you feel a strong sense of dislike or anger.
adj. evoking intense aversion, hostility, or resentment due to perceived cruelty or malice.
“The dictator was responsible for many hateful crimes against his own people.”
“The regime's history is marked by hateful acts of violence that continue to haunt the survivors decades later.”
Antonyms
02showing hate or bigotry
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. full of hate toward a person or a group, often because of their race, religion, or identity.
adj. manifesting or expressing intense malice, often specifically in the context of prejudice or bigotry.
“The website was taken down because it was full of hateful comments about immigrants.”
“The legislation was designed to curb the spread of hateful rhetoric that targets vulnerable minority groups in the digital sphere.”
Teaching tip
In modern social contexts, this sense is frequently used in the phrase 'hateful speech' or 'hate speech' to describe bigoted language.
Real-World Examples
“Violet is bullied at school by a hateful little poppet and her friends who make fun of her birthmark and fantastic head of wavy, naturally crimped hair.” “And I refuse to be made to feel like I have to be sad that someone who was so hateful was killed".” Etymology
From Middle English hateful. By surface analysis, hate + -ful.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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