hu·man·ism
ˈhyü-mə-ˌni-zəm
ˈyü-
1
a
: devotion to the humanities : literary culture
b
: the revival of classical letters, individualistic and critical spirit, and emphasis on secular concerns characteristic of the Renaissance
2
: devotion to human welfare : humanitarianism
renowned for his humanism
3
: a doctrine, attitude, or way of life centered on human interests or values
especially
: a philosophy that usually rejects supernaturalism and stresses an individual's dignity and worth and capacity for self-realization through reason : secular humanism
plural -s
1
a
: a person who pursues the study of the humanities
accused by humanists of having an exclusive interest in social sciences—Publications of the Modern Language Association of America
called for a greater understanding between scientists and humanists—Science
b
: an adherent or practitioner of Renaissance humanism
specifically
: a Renaissance scholar devoted to the study of classical letters
2
: a person who is devoted to human welfare : one who is marked by a strong interest in or concern for humankind : humanitarian
a humanist, a lover of all sorts of people—Yale Review
a humanist, who felt deeply about inequality … wherever he saw it—Max Lerner
3
a
often capitalized
: a person who subscribes to the doctrines of scientific humanism
specifically
: a member of a religious society or sect subscribing to such doctrines
b
: a person who subscribes to a form of philosophical humanism
c
"
variants
or humanistic
¦⸗⸗¦nistik
-tēk
1
a
: of or relating to Renaissance humanism or humanists
the humanistic revival of learning
b
: of, relating to, or concerned with the humanities : cultural
the fact that humanistic subjects … have a part in the development of the students—Science
Greek … the most exacting humanist study—Robert Birley
2
: of or relating to philosophical or religious humanism in any of its forms
what we need is a humanistic religion … man-centered and comfortable—R. C. Hartnett
supernaturalist and humanist strategies of motivation—K. D. Burke
the humanist belief in continuous emergent evolution—Wendell Thomas
3
: marked by or expressive of devotion to human welfare or strong interest in or concern for humankind : humanitarian
the liberal approach has been a humanist approach—M. W. Straight
incorporate the socialist idealism of Russia with the humanist individualism of America—Cyril Connolly
respect and humanistic regard for all other members of our species—Weston La Barre
Cite this Entry
“Humanism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/humanism. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.
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