human rights

plural noun

: rights (such as freedom from unlawful imprisonment, torture, and execution) regarded as belonging fundamentally to all persons

Examples of human rights in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Iranian officials publicly executed two men accused of participating in sweeping anti-regime demonstrations earlier this year, human rights officials say, as Tehran tightened its noose on dissidents. — Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 28 July 2026

Palestinians and human rights groups have increasingly documented armed Israeli settlers entering villages in the area. — Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2026

Critics have said this outsources detention to foreign governments − often those with records of human rights abuses, minimal oversight and unclear legal protections. — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 24 July 2026

Türk has used both private engagement with Beijing and public advocacy to support human rights in China, his office said. — ABC News, 24 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1629, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for human rights

• acolytes
• ammonites
• amorites
• analytes
• andesites
• appetites
• argillites
• astrocytes
• belemnites
• bryophytes
• canaanites
• carmelites

Legal Definition

human rights

noun plural

: rights (as freedom from unlawful imprisonment, torture, and execution) regarded as belonging fundamentally to all people