humane
Americanadjective
-
characterized by tenderness, compassion, and sympathy for people and animals, especially for the suffering or distressed.
humane treatment of prisoners.
- Synonyms:
- charitable, benignant, benevolent, sympathetic, gentle, compassionate, tender, kindhearted, kindly, kind, merciful
-
acting in a manner that causes the least harm to people or animals.
humane trapping of stray pets.
-
of or relating to humanistic studies.
adjective
-
characterized by kindness, mercy, sympathy, etc
-
inflicting as little pain as possible
a humane killing
-
civilizing or liberal (esp in the phrases humane studies, humane education )
Related Words
See human.
Other Word Forms
- humanely adverb
- humaneness noun
- unhumane adjective
- unhumanely adverb
- unhumaneness noun
Etymology
Origin of humane
First recorded in 1425–75; originally a variant of human, restricted to above senses from the 18th century; germane, german
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It also demanded the US ensure "humane and proper treatment" of Russian citizens on board.
From BBC
They added that "a safe, humane, appropriate, and healthy custodial environment in accordance with the law" has been provided for Lai.
From BBC
But there is also the question of what is most humane - and best - for the animals.
From BBC
But Castro succeeds by zeroing in on the moments away from the spotlight where Quintanilla’s playful personality and vulnerable ambivalence paint her in a new, more humane light.
From Los Angeles Times
Bates won the best actress Oscar for her chillingly humane performance.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
