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.
Ichiyō has already more than vindicated herself, appealing to the deepest and most humane of people’s emotions, depicting unflinchingly what lies true in their hearts. Literary Hub, 28 May 2026 Use Squirrel Repellent Squirrel repellents are another humane option to spray around the yard to deter these rodents from digging it up. Ashlyn Needham, The Spruce, 28 May 2026 Not humane, exactly, but primitive enough that future generations will wonder why nobody thought to do better. Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026 This will be Pattinson’s second A24 movie of the year following The Drama, for which his anxiously humane turn earned some of the best reviews of his career. David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2026 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 6 Jun. 2026.

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

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