humane

adjective

hu·​mane hyü-ˈmān How to pronounce humane (audio)
yü-
Synonyms of humane
1
: marked by compassion, sympathy, or consideration for humans or animals
humane prison guards
a more humane way of treating farm animals
2
: characterized by or tending to broad humanistic culture : humanistic
humane studies
humanely adverb
humaneness
hyü-ˈmān-nəs How to pronounce humane (audio)
yü-
noun

Synonyms of humane

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Examples of humane in a Sentence

It's not humane to treat animals that way. Conditions in the prison are more humane now.
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.
Scene to scene, Jeon makes strikingly humane, unusual choices. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026 The bill also calls for humane placement of animals and assistance for displaced workers. — Elijah Westbrook, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 There are also no state laws that say pet owners must dispose of their deceased animals in a humane manner, according to The Pet Memorial. — Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026 But many residents say there’s no humane way to carry out an exhumation, especially on ancestral lands where more than five generations are buried. — Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for humane

Word History

Etymology

Middle English humain

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of humane was in 1552

Rhymes for humane

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Browse Nearby Words

human contact
humane
human ecology
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Cite this Entry

“Humane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/humane. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

humane

adjective
hu·​mane hyü-ˈmān How to pronounce humane (audio)
yü-
: marked by sympathy or consideration for others
humanely adverb
humaneness
-ˈmān-nəs How to pronounce humane (audio)
noun
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