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
Francis Lawrence: This time the story is much more about human nature.
—
WIRED, 17 Nov. 2023
Chimpanzees’ propensity for violence has raised questions about human nature: If one of our closest living relatives is inclined to fight and kill, are humans innately violent, too?
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Nov. 2023
This hostility has led researchers to assume that group conflict is an innate part of human nature.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 16 Nov. 2023
But, for ideological reasons, his father forbade him to study biology; in Howard’s view, the possibility of genetic determinism contravened the Communist belief in the ultimate malleability of human nature.
—Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 13 Nov. 2023
Smith still has so much to teach us today because of his deep understanding of human nature.
—Anne Bradley, National Review, 16 Oct. 2023
There’s something about human nature to anthropomorphize objects or anything.
—Josh Rottenberg, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2023
That has been a component of human nature from the beginning — and something to be guarded against, vigilantly.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 29 Sep. 2023
Victims of Alabama politicians who pandered to the very worst of human nature for votes and power.
—John Archibald | Jarchibald@al.com, al, 15 Sep. 2023
See More
WIRED, 17 Nov. 2023
Chimpanzees’ propensity for violence has raised questions about human nature: If one of our closest living relatives is inclined to fight and kill, are humans innately violent, too?
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Nov. 2023
This hostility has led researchers to assume that group conflict is an innate part of human nature.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 16 Nov. 2023
But, for ideological reasons, his father forbade him to study biology; in Howard’s view, the possibility of genetic determinism contravened the Communist belief in the ultimate malleability of human nature.
—Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 13 Nov. 2023
Smith still has so much to teach us today because of his deep understanding of human nature.
—Anne Bradley, National Review, 16 Oct. 2023
There’s something about human nature to anthropomorphize objects or anything.
—Josh Rottenberg, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2023
That has been a component of human nature from the beginning — and something to be guarded against, vigilantly.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 29 Sep. 2023
Victims of Alabama politicians who pandered to the very worst of human nature for votes and power.
—John Archibald | Jarchibald@al.com, al, 15 Sep. 2023
See More
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 4 Dec. 2023.
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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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