Someone or something that is hateful is extremely bad or unpleasant.
[old-fashioned]
I'm sorry. That was a hateful thing to say.
2. adjective
Someone who is hateful hates someone else.
These are not necessarily hateful, malicious people.
...a lying, hateful and racist campaign.
Synonyms: malicious, malevolent, spiteful, hating More Synonyms of hateful
More Synonyms of hateful
hateful in British English
(ˈheɪtfʊl)
adjective
1.
causing or deserving hate; loathsome; detestable
2.
full of or showing hate
Derived forms
hatefully (ˈhatefully)
adverb
hatefulness (ˈhatefulness)
noun
hateful in American English
(ˈheɪtfəl)
adjective
1. Archaic
feeling or showing hate; malicious; malevolent
2.
causing or deserving hate; loathsome; detestable; odious
3.
nasty, unpleasant, objectionable, etc.
what a hateful thing to say!
SYNONYMY NOTE: hateful is applied to that which provokes extreme dislike or aversion; , odious stresses a disagreeable or offensive quality in that which is hateful; , detestable refers to that which arouses vehement dislike or antipathy; , obnoxious is applied to that which is very objectionable to one and causes great annoyanceor discomfort by its presence; that is , repugnant which is so distasteful or offensive that one offers strong resistance to it; thatis , abhorrent which is regarded with extreme repugnance or disgust; , abominable is applied to that which is execrably or degradingly offensive or loathsome
Derived forms
hatefully (ˈhatefully)
adverb
hatefulness (ˈhatefulness)
noun
Examples of 'hateful' in a sentence
hateful
How do they get to such a curious and hateful place?
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
His eyes had something hateful about them that made my blood run cold.
Christianity Today (2000)
Hateful comments from detractors have not led to her career suffering.
The Sun (2014)
Each hostile encounter convinces her that she is indeed a hateful person.
Herman, Judith Lewis Trauma and Recovery (1992)
But recently his mood seems to have become dark and messages very hateful.
The Sun (2016)
1 (adjective)
Definition
causing or deserving hate
Why must I live in this hateful place?
Synonyms
horrible
Still the horrible shrieking came out of his mouth.
despicable
He said it was a despicable crime.
offensive
the offensive smell of manure
foul
He is accused of all manner of foul deeds.
disgusting
The curry was disgusting.
forbidding
revolting
The smell in the cell was revolting.
obscene
It was obscene to spend millions producing unwanted food.
vile
the vile smell of mouldy cheese
repellent
She still found the place repellent.
obnoxious
The people at my table were so obnoxious, I had to leave.
repulsive
repulsive, fat, white slugs
heinous
They are capable of the most heinous acts.
odious
He's the most odious man I have ever met.
repugnant
His actions were improper and repugnant.
loathsome
the loathsome spectacle we were obliged to witness
abhorrent
Most people find cruelty to animals abhorrent.
abominable
The President described the attack as an abominable crime.
execrable
my neighbour's execrable taste in music
detestable
I find their poor work ethic detestable.
2 (adjective)
They are not necessarily hateful, malicious people.
Synonyms
malicious
She described the charges as malicious.
malevolent
Her stare was malevolent, her mouth a thin line.
spiteful
He could be spiteful.
hating
vicious
a vicious attack on a woman's character
bitchy (informal)
They say bitchy things about each other.
catty (informal)
a mercilessly catty fashion blog
ill-disposed
evil-minded
ill-natured
Opposites
good
,
beautiful
,
wonderful
,
attractive
,
charming
,
pleasant
,
desirable
,
lovable
,
likable or likeable
Additional synonyms
in the sense of abhorrent
Definition
hateful or disgusting
Most people find cruelty to animals abhorrent.
Synonyms
hateful,
hated,
offensive,
disgusting,
horrible,
revolting,
obscene,
distasteful,
horrid,
repellent,
obnoxious,
despicable,
repulsive,
heinous,
odious,
repugnant,
loathsome,
abominable,
execrable,
detestable
in the sense of abominable
Definition
very bad or unpleasant
The President described the attack as an abominable crime.