humane

1 of 2

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

humaneness

2 of 2

noun

hu·​mane·​ness -ānnə̇s How to pronounce humaneness (audio)
plural -es
: the quality or state of being humane

Synonyms of humane

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Adjective

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Examples of humane in a Sentence

Adjective 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.
Adjective
Carmel Valley takes a more humane approach. — David Hochman, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026 The safest and most humane response is usually patience. — Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 20 June 2026 Immigration advocates said the tents were never humane or safe to hold people. — Jeffrey Collins, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2026 Since the facility opened, immigration advocates said the tents were never safe or humane to hold people. — ABC News, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for humane

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English humain

First Known Use

Adjective

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 8 Jul. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on humane

Nglish: Translation of humane for Spanish Speakers

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