Hatred is an intense feeling of dislike and hostility toward someone or something. It's much stronger than simply not liking something. You might dislike brussels sprouts, but hatred involves deep anger and the wish for harm.

When people feel hatred, it can consume their thoughts and emotions. A character in a story might be driven by hatred for someone who wronged them, spending years plotting revenge instead of moving forward with their life. Hatred can make people do destructive things they wouldn't otherwise do.

Throughout history, hatred between groups has caused terrible conflicts and suffering. The opposite of hatred is love or compassion. While anger often fades with time, hatred tends to last and grow stronger unless someone consciously lets it go.

Hatred is both the emotion itself and the state of hating. Someone might speak about “feelings of hatred” or describe hatred growing between rivals.