humane

adjective

hu·​mane hyü-ˈmān How to pronounce humane (audio)
yü-
Synonyms of humanenext
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 noun

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
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.
The book is a sensitive, humane, and propulsive exploration of suicide, which highlights both its urgency and complexity. Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Dec. 2025 To be locked away for decades was not, in his eyes, more humane than being torn apart in a public square—though Damiens himself might have had a different opinion. Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2025 Punk and Lee adopted Larry from Paws Chicago, a no-kill humane organization. Fernando Quiles Jr, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2025 Well Summit, which bring caregivers, policymakers, and creatives together to dream up a more humane care infrastructure. Essence, 20 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for humane

Word History

Etymology

Middle English humain

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of humane was in 1552

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Humane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/humane. Accessed 13 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

humane

adjective
hu·​mane hyü-ˈmān How to pronounce humane (audio)
yü-
: marked by sympathy or consideration for others
humanely adverb
humaneness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on humane

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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