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human nature
noun
: the nature of humans
especially
: the fundamental dispositions and traits of humans
Examples of human nature in a Sentence
You can't change human nature.
Recent Examples on the Web
The show isn’t so much about higher power but human nature in the face of a higher power, unpacking belief, factionalism, and moral conflict while grappling with existential questions (plus plenty of gore, of course).
—Megan Vick, EW.com, 30 May 2024
Call it human nature or call it hockey nature, but the New York Rangers’ 2-1 Game 2 home win in overtime Friday night to tie the NHL Eastern Conference finals was predictable because so is this:
Desperation brings out the fight in you.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 25 May 2024
At nearly three hours, the anthology film was divisive: Some hailed its scabrous take on human nature as brilliant, and others derided it as bloated.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 21 May 2024
According to director Han Jae-rim (The Face Reader, The King), the eight-episode season is intended to explore the depths of human nature.
—Megan McCluskey, TIME, 20 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for human nature
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'human nature.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of human nature was
in the 15th century
Dictionary Entries Near human nature
Cite this Entry
“Human nature.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/human%20nature. Accessed 17 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
human nature
noun
: the nature of human beings
especially
: the ways of thinking, acting, and reacting that are common to most or all human beings or that are learned in social situations
More from Merriam-Webster on human nature
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about human nature
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