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 There have been years of complaints about poor conditions and human rights violations at migrant detention facilities in Mexico, including inadequate ventilation, food and water, and overflowing toilets. Mark Stevenson, ajc, 1 Apr. 2023 Trump administration officials and advisers pushed the nuclear effort, often secretly — an initiative to which some senators objected, citing Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and the potential for development of nuclear arms. Kate Kelly, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2023 The longtime human rights advocate joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Rep. Mike McCaul (R-TX), for a press conference outside the Capitol on Tuesday. Graeme Jennings, Washington Examiner, 1 Apr. 2023 That ambiguity — trying to admonish countries for their crimes and human rights issues while also trying to engage with them diplomatically — has resulted in a seemingly mixed policy in the region. Peter Aitken, Fox News, 31 Mar. 2023 Mexican media recently published internal documents showing that the armed forces had used phone-bugging tools to monitor conversations between a human rights activist and several journalists. Mary Beth Sheridan, Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2023 The human rights advocate and lawyer led the fight to end the apartheid in South Africa, lobbied for humane policy for Haitian refugees and called for reparations for Black Americans. Nicole Chavez, CNN, 31 Mar. 2023 Colvin’s work focused on human rights abuses in her 25 years of covering war zones, particularly that of women and children. Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 31 Mar. 2023 In 1952, Chavez began working with the Community Service Organization, organizing people to advocate for labor law reform that would allow farm workers basic human rights, such as safe working conditions and living wages to support their families. Javier Arce, The Arizona Republic, 31 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'human rights.' 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

1629, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near human rights

Cite this Entry

“Human rights.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/human%20rights. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Legal Definition

human rights

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

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