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
Synonyms
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
After a ceasefire, the criminal events of the past seven months should be tried and judged, and the infinitely difficult business of creating just, humane, and habitable political structures in the region must begin anew.
—
Zadie Smith, The New Yorker, 5 May 2024
Now, the dog, named Bright Eyes, is on the mend at the humane society.
—Daniella Segura, Sacramento Bee, 3 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for humane 
Zadie Smith, The New Yorker, 5 May 2024
Now, the dog, named Bright Eyes, is on the mend at the humane society.
—Daniella Segura, Sacramento Bee, 3 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for humane
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'humane.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near humane
Cite this Entry
“Humane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/humane. Accessed 8 May. 2024.
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