1
: marked by compassion, sympathy, or consideration for humans or animals
humane prison guards
a more humane way of treating farm animals
2
: characterized by or tending to broad humanistic culture : humanistic
humane studies
humanely
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of humane in a Sentence
It's not humane to treat animals that way.
Conditions in the prison are more humane now.
Recent Examples on the Web
The humane society didn’t respond to McClatchy News’ requests for additional information on Feb. 12.
—
Simone Jasper, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2025
On one hand, we are challenged by serious federal neglect to provide a safe, orderly, and humane response to migration at our southern border.
—Brad Wolf, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
The humane society said cats typically stay at the shelter a maximum of three to four weeks.
—Simone Jasper, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2025
More broadly, Build Back Better forwarded a range of social welfare provisions that were intended as permanent: This more perpetual and humane social welfare policy vanished in the mist.
—Alissa Quart, TIME, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for humane 
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Simone Jasper, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2025
On one hand, we are challenged by serious federal neglect to provide a safe, orderly, and humane response to migration at our southern border.
—Brad Wolf, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
The humane society said cats typically stay at the shelter a maximum of three to four weeks.
—Simone Jasper, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2025
More broadly, Build Back Better forwarded a range of social welfare provisions that were intended as permanent: This more perpetual and humane social welfare policy vanished in the mist.
—Alissa Quart, TIME, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for humane
Dictionary Entries Near humane
Cite this Entry
“Humane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/humane. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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