Definitions

humane

[hyoo-meyn, yoo-] / hyuˈmeɪn, yu- /

ADJECTIVE

kind, compassionate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

approachable benevolent considerate cordial democratic forgiving friendly generous gentle gracious humanitarian merciful open-minded sympathetic tolerant unselfish

WEAK

accommodating altruistic amiable benign benignant broad-minded charitable clement forbearing genial good good-natured helpful human indulgent kindhearted kindly lenient liberal magnanimous mild natural obliging philanthropic pitying righteous tender tenderhearted understanding warmhearted

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aloof cold cool disagreeable greedy mean merciless selfish unfeeling unfriendly ungiving unkind unsociable

WEAK

cruel fierce inhumane uncivilized uncompassionate unsympathetic violent

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.

Surrey Police Federation chair Darren Pemble said Wakefield had also been awarded a Chief Constable's Commendation, a Royal Humane Society award, and a bronze medal from The Society for the Protection of Life from Fire.

From BBC • May 26, 2026

Humane treatment of German nationals was an "absolute priority", they added.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

But now the 4-month-old brothers have reached a promising stage in their journey toward independence, successfully transitioning into an outdoor habitat and starting to feed independently at the San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026

Humane Society staff is also caring for about 165 horses, several ponies and red-eared sliders who are still at the sanctuary, according to the organization.

From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2026

The ambiguous usages of Noah Biggs and Alexander Ross, discussed earlier, also follow the publication of Hobbes’s Humane Nature.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Vocabulary lists containing humane

100 SAT Words Beginning with "H"

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"The Bet" by Anton Chekhov

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The Stranger

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