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.

He even came across more humane jailers who said they were "sorry" about what was happening and that one day "Russia will apologise".

From Barron's • May 8, 2026

It made our technological world accessible, inclusive, and humane.

From Slate • Apr. 4, 2026

When World War I arrived, Galsworthy—like many humane Europeans of his generation who had believed that mass barbarism was becoming a thing of the past—was shattered.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Magyar's promise to build "a more humane, efficient country" resonates with all those fed up with the governing party, especially the young.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

Farmer strongly believed that quarantines were not an effective strategy for handling AIDS, but the Cuban approach had been far more humane.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French

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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