Emotion: Hatred

When you want to write the emotion hatred, it's important to "show" the emotion your character is experiencing through their physical reactions and dialogue, rather than "tell" it. In this article we provide you with inspiration so you can avoid emotion tells and immerse your readers in your story.

Hatred is a strong feeling of intense dislike or animosity towards someone or something. It is an emotion that is often associated with anger, resentment, and bitterness, and can be directed towards individuals, groups, or even abstract concepts. Hatred can be expressed in a variety of ways, ranging from passive-aggressive behaviors to outright aggression and violence. It is important to remember that while hatred is a natural human emotion, it can also be harmful and destructive, both to the person experiencing it and to those around them.

Different Types of Hatred

Here are some different types of hatred:

• Intense, burning hatred: A deep and passionate loathing that consumes the character's thoughts and actions.
• Resentment-based hatred: A feeling of bitterness and anger towards someone who has wronged the character in the past.
• Prejudiced hatred: A strong dislike or animosity towards someone based on their identity, such as their race, religion, or sexuality.
• Self-hatred: A negative and critical view of oneself that can manifest as anger and hostility towards others.
• Obsessive hatred: An all-consuming fixation on someone or something that leads the character to behave irrationally and destructively.
• Vengeful hatred: A desire to seek revenge or retribution against someone who has caused the character harm or suffering.
• Envious hatred: A feeling of resentment and anger towards someone who has something the character desires, such as wealth, success, or a romantic partner.
• Group-based hatred: A dislike or disdain for a specific group of people, such as a rival gang, political party, or social class.

I hope this helps! Remember, the key to writing compelling characters with strong emotions is to tap into their motivations, backstory, and personality traits to create a nuanced and believable portrayal.

Situations Associated with Hatred

Here are some situations where a character might experience the emotion of hatred:

• Being betrayed or hurt by someone close to them
• Being discriminated against or treated unfairly
• Being the victim of a violent crime or abuse
• Witnessing an act of cruelty or injustice towards someone they care about
• Facing intense competition or rivalry in a personal or professional setting
• Holding a grudge or being unable to forgive someone for past transgressions
• Feeling envy or jealousy towards someone who has something they want or desire

Physical Reactions to Hatred

Here are some physical reactions a character experiencing hatred might have:

• Facial expression: scowling, sneering, or curling lips, narrowed or squinted eyes, furrowed brows, and tensed jaw.
• Body language: clenched fists, crossed arms, rigid posture, leaning forward, or invading personal space.
• Voice tone: aggressive, sarcastic, or mocking tone, raised voice, or gritted teeth.
• Behavior: verbal or physical aggression, avoidance, revenge-seeking, holding grudges, or gossiping.
• Physiological changes: increased heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing, sweating, and muscle tension.

It's important to note that these signs and behaviors can vary from person to person and may not always be present in every situation. As a writer, it's essential to understand and convey the nuances of the character's hatred to make their emotions feel authentic and relatable to readers.

Thoughts Associated with Hatred

Here are some thoughts a character experiencing hatred might have:

• I can't stand the sight of them.
• They make my blood boil.
• I wish they would just disappear.
• Every time I think of them, I feel a knot in my stomach.
• I hate everything about them - their voice, their face, their personality.
• They don't deserve my forgiveness.
• I will never forget what they did to me.
• I can't trust them, and I never will.
• I wish I could get revenge on them somehow.
• I don't want to be anywhere near them.

Atmosphere of Hatred

Here are some ways that you might reflect the emotion of hatred in the atmosphere of your scene:

• Use dark and gloomy settings that make the reader feel uneasy and uncomfortable.
• Incorporate contrasting elements such as bright colors or happy music to create a sense of irony.
• Describe the physical appearance of the environment in a way that reflects the character's emotions, e.g., sharp and jagged rocks, broken glass, or rusted metal.
• Include weather conditions that match the character's feelings, such as a thunderstorm or a heavy snowfall.
• Use metaphors or similes that emphasize the character's hatred, such as "the air was thick with malice" or "the room was suffocating with animosity."
• Create a sense of tension by having characters interact with each other in a hostile way, using sarcasm or insults.
• Use violent or aggressive actions, such as slamming doors or throwing objects, to emphasize the character's anger.
• Include sensory details that evoke negative emotions, such as the smell of decay or the taste of bitterness.

Verbs Associated with Hatred

Here are some verbs commonly associated with the emotion of hatred:

• Loathe
• Despise
• Detest
• Abhor
• Execrate
• Scorn
• Revile
• Denounce
• Condemn
• Repudiate
• Disdain
• Reject
• Malice
• Hostility
• Animosity
• Antipathy
• Rancor
• Enmity
• Grudge

Emotions Before Hatred

Here are some emotions that may come before a character experiences hatred:

• Dislike
• Disgust
• Annoyance
• Frustration
• Irritation
• Resentment
• Jealousy
• Envy
• Betrayal
• Disappointment
• Hurt
• Sadness

Emotions After Hatred

Here are some emotions that may come after a character experiences hatred:

• Forgiveness
• Empathy
• Compassion
• Understanding
• Acceptance
• Tolerance
• Love (in some cases)
• Indifference
• Apathy
• Disgust (in some cases)

Telling Hatred Examples to Avoid

Here are some examples of telling the emotion hatred in a sentence. You should avoid things like this:

• She hated him more than anything in the world.
• Her hatred for him burned like a fiery inferno.
• He could feel the hatred emanating from her in waves.
• Her eyes were filled with hatred as she looked at him.
• He knew she hated him, but he didn't care.
• The hatred between them was palpable.
• He had never felt such intense hatred before.
• Her words dripped with hatred and contempt.
• The mere sight of him filled her with hatred and disgust.

Practical Examples of Showing Hatred

Here are some examples of showing hatred in a sentence:

• She clenched her fists and gritted her teeth every time he walked into the room.
• The mere sight of him made her blood boil and her stomach churn.
• She couldn't stand the sound of his voice, and every word he spoke felt like a personal attack.
• The thought of him made her skin crawl and her heart race with anger.

Exercises for Showing Hatred

Here are some writing exercises to practice showing hatred:

• Start by understanding what exactly your character hates. Is it a person, a group of people, a situation, or a thing? Write down a list of everything that your character despises and why.
• Explore the reasons behind your character's hatred. Was there a past experience that triggered it? Did someone hurt them in the past? Understanding the root cause of the hatred will help you create a more complex and believable character.
• Describe your character's physical reactions to their hatred. Do they clench their fists, grind their teeth, or break out in a sweat? These physical manifestations can help the reader understand the intensity of the emotion.
• Consider the language your character uses when expressing their hatred. Do they use vulgar language or violent imagery? Do they use sarcasm or irony? The language your character uses will give insight into their personality and background.
• Write a scene where your character confronts the object of their hatred. This can be a powerful way to show the depth of their emotion.
• Show how your character's hatred affects their relationships with others. Does it make them isolated or aggressive? Does it make them lose sight of their goals or become more focused?
• Write a scene where your character confronts their own hatred. This can be a moment of self-reflection and growth for your character.
• Consider the consequences of your character's hatred. Does it lead to destructive behavior or actions they later regret? Does it prevent them from achieving their goals or finding happiness?

Want more help with showing emotion instead of telling? You find more help in our full emotional thesaurus.