human rights

plural noun

: rights (such as freedom from unlawful imprisonment, torture, and execution) regarded as belonging fundamentally to all persons

Examples of human rights in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
He was convicted in 2009 of human rights abuses in the fight against the rebels and, later on, corruption charges. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026 Vanity Fair reports from inside the mounting human rights disaster. — Janine Di Giovanni, Vanity Fair, 3 July 2026 This binding international treaty commits states to AI systems that respect human rights, democracy and the rule of law. — Alain Berset, Time, 6 July 2026 In 1997, Clinton announced an agreement with labor and human rights groups on a code of conduct for clothing and shoe companies. — Charlotte Triggs, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for human rights

Word History

First Known Use

1629, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of human rights was in 1629

Rhymes for human rights

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Browse Nearby Words

human right
human rights
human rights abuse
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Cite this Entry

“Human rights.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/human%20rights. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Legal Definition

human rights

noun plural
: rights (as freedom from unlawful imprisonment, torture, and execution) regarded as belonging fundamentally to all people

More from Merriam-Webster on human rights

Nglish: Translation of human rights for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about human rights

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