Hate vs. Hatred — What's the Difference?

As a verb, "hate" expresses the action of feeling intense dislike or hostility, such as in "I hate injustice." As a noun, it can refer to the general concept of this intense dislike, "Hate cannot drive out hate." Hatred, on the other hand, is always a noun and encapsulates the state or feeling of hate, often with a sense of permanence and depth, as in "His hatred for injustice motivated his actions."

Hate is a more versatile term that can be used to describe fleeting or superficial feelings of dislike as well as deep-seated aversions. Hatred implies a more settled and profound feeling, often deeply rooted in personal experiences or long-standing biases. The usage of hate can be casual or serious, whereas hatred typically conveys a weightier, more serious emotion.

In daily communication, "hate" can be used more liberally and in a broader range of contexts, from mild annoyances to severe antipathy. "Hatred," however, is reserved for contexts that require expressing a deep and lasting dislike. For example, one might casually say, "I hate broccoli," but would likely reserve "hatred" for more significant issues, indicating a stronger, more entrenched feeling.

The distinction also extends into how these terms are used in legal and social contexts. Hate speech and hate crimes, for instance, refer to expressions and actions motivated by hostility towards people based on race, religion orientation, etc., reflecting both the act of hostility (hate as a verb) and the underlying feeling (hate as a noun). The term "hatred" is less commonly used in these contexts but would emphasize the deep-seated nature of these feelings.