humane

adjective

hu·​mane hyü-ˈmān 

yü-

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 

yü-

noun

Synonyms

• beneficent
• benevolent
• benignant
• compassionate
• good-hearted
• kind
• kindhearted
• kindly
• softhearted
• sympathetic
• tender
• tenderhearted
• warmhearted

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

The decision also threatens to derail efforts to tackle homelessness with humane, effective public policy. —Deyanira Nevarez Martinez, Orange County Register, 10 July 2024

President Joe Biden once pledged to adopt more humane immigration policies than his predecessor. —Farrah Hassen, Orlando Sentinel, 6 July 2024

On this Independence Day 160 years later, with jobs again going unfilled, Lincoln’s humane and sensible policy is worth remembering — and emulating. —Harold Holzer, New York Daily News, 4 July 2024

Or will the programs adopt more empathetic and humane decision-making guidelines? —Tamlyn Hunt, Scientific American, 17 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English humain

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

humane

adjective

hu·​mane hyü-ˈmān 

yü-

: marked by sympathy or consideration for others

humanely adverb

humaneness

-ˈmān-nəs 

noun