The actress, 37, hit out at the publication after its recent cover image depicted her launching a slingshot at Justin Baldoni – who she is suing for sexual harassment after they worked together on the It Ends With Us film – calling the image "outrageously insulting".
"The Hollywood Reporter should be ashamed of itself," a spokesperson for Lively told The Daily Mail.
"The framing in this picture is outrageously insulting as it plays into every sexist trope about women who dare file a workplace complaint, turning them into the aggressor, and suggesting they deserve the retaliation that comes their way."
Lively is in a legal dispute with Baldoni, 40, her former director and co-star.
She has accused him of sexual harassment and workplace misconduct, while Baldoni has denied all allegations and filed a $US400m ($A629 m) lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds and their publicist Leslie Sloane.
The Hollywood Reporter's article explored how Baldoni 's faith may have "inadvertently contributed" to the dispute.
The outlet also referenced Lively's claim in her California Civil Rights Department complaint that Baldoni once told her he could speak to her "dead father" and noted this was consistent with past statements he had made about his faith.
"He has also referenced his interest in the afterlife in interviews," the report said.
It also suggested the legal battle may stem from a "cultural misunderstanding".
"What if much of it – the alleged inappropriate hugging and pre-filming praying – could be explained as a clash between a very specific faith-driven community with its unique mores, and a much more modern, post-#MeToo one with its own set of beliefs and commandments?"
Lively's spokesperson rejected the characterisation.
"The story is extremely offensive as it incredibly seems to explain away documented examples of sexual harassment and retaliation by calling them 'cultural misunderstandings'."
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