hate speech
noun
: speech that is intended to insult, offend, or intimidate a person because of some trait (such as race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability)
Examples of hate speech in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The anti-hate group has a team dedicated to investigating hate speech online and mass shooters’ online history.
—
Michael Loria, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
Universities whose students demonstrated against the war have been subject to sweeping government investigations and sanctions justified as efforts against hate speech.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
In the days after the Bondi Beach massacre – allegedly committed by a father and son who had embraced Islamic State ideology – the government announced sweeping new gun laws, tougher rules on hate speech, and stronger powers for the home affairs minister to cancel visas on character grounds.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026
The answer is yes, given that the Supreme Court has consistently protected hate speech under the First Amendment.
—Sheldon Jacobson, Twin Cities, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hate speech
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Michael Loria, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
Universities whose students demonstrated against the war have been subject to sweeping government investigations and sanctions justified as efforts against hate speech.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
In the days after the Bondi Beach massacre – allegedly committed by a father and son who had embraced Islamic State ideology – the government announced sweeping new gun laws, tougher rules on hate speech, and stronger powers for the home affairs minister to cancel visas on character grounds.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026
The answer is yes, given that the Supreme Court has consistently protected hate speech under the First Amendment.
—Sheldon Jacobson, Twin Cities, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hate speech
Cite this Entry
“Hate speech.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hate%20speech. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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