What does hatefully mean?
Hatefully is an adverb meaning “with hatred or intense dislike.” It is used for words, actions, and attitudes that display loathing, contempt, or deliberate cruelty: a speech can be hatefully personal, a treatment can be hatefully unfair, or a performance can be hatefully mean. In another established use, hatefully means “extremely objectionable” or “odiously,” often modifying qualities such as ugliness, garishness, or tastelessness. The word therefore combines a sense of emotional hostility with a broader sense of extreme unpleasantness. It is more common in formal, literary, and sharply critical contexts than in relaxed conversation, where a simpler expression may be preferable. Its force comes from the underlying adjective hateful and the intensifying effect of the suffix -ly.
adverbIn a manner characterized by hatred or intense dislike; with loathing. It can also describe something as extremely objectionable, odious, or unpleasant.
- In a manner characterized by hatred, loathing, or intense dislike.
- In a way that is extremely objectionable, odious, or unpleasant.
"The politician delivered a hatefully personal attack on her opponent."
"The speaker's remarks were hatefully cruel, deliberately attacking the victim's appearance and family."
"The room was painted a hatefully bright shade of pink."
Hatefully can do more than describe an act done with hatred: it can make something seem so offensive that the reaction is instantly, visceral disgust.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
Related word forms
How hatefully is actually used
Hatefully is more typical of formal, literary, or strongly evaluative prose than of neutral everyday speech. In its second sense, it intensifies an already negative description and therefore carries a conspicuously judgemental force.
Easily confused with hatefully
Hateful is the adjective meaning characterized by hatred or intense dislike, while hatefully is the adverb describing the manner in which such hatred or dislike is expressed.