-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
hate crime
noun
: 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 color, creed, gender, or sexual orientation)
Examples of hate crime in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Dixon, a Republican from Newport Beach, also argued that doxxing isn’t considered a hate crime in California — referencing a 2022 hate crime report from California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office — and that the bill raises free speech concerns.
—Calmatters, The Mercury News, 27 June 2024
Police have recommended that the incident be considered a hate crime by prosecutors.
—Liam Quinn, Peoplemag, 24 June 2024
Last year, an Oregon man was sentenced to three years in prison for federal hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people in Boise.
—Samuel O’Neal, Idaho Statesman, 24 June 2024
An antisemitic bigot yelling profanities threw a bag of dog poop into a stranger’s vehicle in a disturbing SoHo hate crime, police said Sunday.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 23 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for hate crime
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hate crime.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1960, in the meaning defined above
Articles Related to hate crime
Dictionary Entries Near hate crime
Cite this Entry
“Hate crime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hate%20crime. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share