hate speech
Slurs targeting groups
Hate speech is expression that attacks, demeans, or incites violence against people based on characteristics like race, religion, ethnicity, sexuality, or gender.
The term emerged in legal and political debates about the limits of free expression: The university adopted a hate speech policy.
What constitutes hate speech is contested—critics argue the category is too vague or that even offensive speech deserves protection.
Intolerance toward differing views
- prejudicePreformed unfavorable opinion
- racismPrejudice based on ethnicity
- sexismGender-based prejudice
- homophobiaPrejudice against same-sex attraction
xenophobia · antisemitism · transphobia · ableism · casteism · sectarianism · misogyny · ethnocentrism
Insulting group label
- epithetDescriptive tag for someone
- pejorativeTerm expressing disapproval
- dog whistleHigh-frequency pet caller
- racial slurDerogatory ethnic term
profanity · invective · vitriol · insult · taunt · mockery · denigration · vilification
Provoking unlawful behavior
- radicalizationShift toward extreme ideology
- extremismIdeology beyond accepted norms
- agitationDisturbed, restless state
- demagogueManipulative populist leader
polarization · disinformation · echo chamber · fearmongering · scapegoating · conspiracy theory · manifesto · recruitment
Aggressive, unwanted targeting
- bullyingAggressive repeated intimidation
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- threatsDeclarations of intended harm
- incitementProvoking unlawful behavior
violence · trauma · marginalization · persecution · victimization · targeting · trolling · doxxing
Avoidance of excess
- community guidelinesRules for group behavior
- deplatformingRemoving from online platforms
- bannedOfficially disallowed
- censorshipOfficial content restriction
reporting · flagging · takedown · terms of service · civil rights
bigotry
Intolerance toward differing views
- prejudicePreformed unfavorable opinion
- racismPrejudice based on ethnicity
- sexismGender-based prejudice
homophobia · xenophobia · antisemitism · transphobia · ableism · casteism · sectarianism · misogyny · ethnocentrism · chauvinism
slur
Insulting group label
- epithetDescriptive tag for someone
- pejorativeTerm expressing disapproval
- dog whistleHigh-frequency pet caller
racial slur · profanity · invective · vitriol · insult · taunt · mockery · denigration · vilification · defamation
incitement
Provoking unlawful behavior
- radicalizationShift toward extreme ideology
- extremismIdeology beyond accepted norms
- agitationDisturbed, restless state
demagogue · polarization · disinformation · echo chamber · fearmongering · scapegoating · conspiracy theory · manifesto · recruitment · indoctrination
harassment
Aggressive, unwanted targeting
- bullyingAggressive repeated intimidation
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- threatsDeclarations of intended harm
incitement · violence · trauma · marginalization · persecution · victimization · targeting · trolling · doxxing · cyberbullying
moderation
Avoidance of excess
- community guidelinesRules for group behavior
- deplatformingRemoving from online platforms
- bannedOfficially disallowed
censorship · reporting · flagging · takedown · terms of service · civil rights
- discriminationracism, systemic discrimination, Jim Crow laws, sexism, racial harassment
- oppressionoppression, tyranny, racism, repression, secret police
- political buzzwordswoke, wokeness, virtue signaling, virtue signal, dog whistle
- media lawlibel, media regulation, press laws, slander, defamation
- crimesarson, burglary, robbery, kidnapping, vandalism
- digital culturesocial media, memes, hashtags, viral content, influencers
hate speechinclusive language
Phrasing avoiding marginalization
praise · blessing · solidarity · compliment
hate speechtolerance
Willingness to accept difference
acceptance · bridge-building · allyship · advocacy · reconciliation
hate speechcivil discourse
Respectful exchange of views
reasoned argument · diplomatic language · measured speech · constructive criticism
hate, speech, hatred, hateful, hated, hates, hating, hater, haters