formal3K

Hate crime

UK //heɪt kraɪm//US //heɪt kraɪm//

Definition

A criminal act motivated by bias against a person's race, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation.

In simple words: A crime motivated by hatred towards a group of people.

Examples

  • The recent attack was declared a hate crime due to the victim's ethnicity.
  • Authorities are investigating the vandalism as a possible hate crime against the local community.
  • They organized a workshop to educate people about the impact of hate crimes in society.
  • The legal system treats hate crimes more severely than other types of offenses.
  • Activists are pushing for stricter laws against hate crimes to protect vulnerable groups.

Usage notes

Used in legal and social contexts. Appropriate in discussions about discrimination and violence, but avoid casual conversations.

Grammar pattern

noun + noun

Memory hint

Think of 'hate' as a strong feeling and 'crime' as a wrong act; together, they mean wrong acts driven by strong feelings.

Collocations

  • report a hate crime
  • committed hate crime
  • hate crime legislation
  • victim of a hate crime
  • hate crime statistics

Synonyms

  • bias crime
  • hate-motivated crime
  • prejudice crime

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'hate speech' - hate crimes involve actual actions, not just words.
  • Misused as a general term for any violence, while it specifically refers to bias-motivated acts.
  • Assumed to only relate to violent acts, but also includes property damage and intimidation.