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
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
For example, the traps used in early American history were not considered humane or ethical.
—
Skye Goode, Outdoor Life, 29 Jan. 2026
The club is new and the dressing room feels more humane than most, like a hotel banquet room.
—Celina Pereira, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Augmentation pulls teachers, case managers, and maintenance workers away from their core duties, eroding programs intended to reduce recidivism and maintain humane conditions.
—Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The investigation began after the humane society learned there were several complaints about dogs kept outside during the massive winter storm.
—Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for humane
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Skye Goode, Outdoor Life, 29 Jan. 2026
The club is new and the dressing room feels more humane than most, like a hotel banquet room.
—Celina Pereira, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Augmentation pulls teachers, case managers, and maintenance workers away from their core duties, eroding programs intended to reduce recidivism and maintain humane conditions.
—Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The investigation began after the humane society learned there were several complaints about dogs kept outside during the massive winter storm.
—Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for humane
Cite this Entry
“Humane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/humane. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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