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humane Meaning & Definition

/hjuːˈmeɪn/

What Does Humane Mean?

Humane is used as an adjective meaning (notcomp) Of or belonging to the species Homo sapiens or its closest relatives. It can also mean Having the nature or attributes of a human being.

Humane in Brief

Part of speechadjective
Pronunciation//hjuːˈmeɪn//
Syllables1
Synonymscompassionate, kind and merciful
Antonymsinhumane, inhuman and nonhumane
Comparative / superlativehumaner, humanest

Humane Definition (Adjective)

  1. (notcomp) Of or belonging to the species Homo sapiens or its closest relatives.
  2. Having the nature or attributes of a human being.

    To err is human; to forgive, divine.

Adjective

  1. Having or showing concern for the pain or suffering of another; compassionate.

    As methods of execution go, beheading is more humane than drawing and quartering.

  2. Pertaining to branches of learning concerned with human affairs or the humanities, especially classical literature or rhetoric.

Synonyms of Humane

Humane synonyms and antonyms →

Antonyms of Humane

Humane in a Sentence

To err is human; to forgive, divine.

As methods of execution go, beheading is more humane than drawing and quartering.

Word Forms & Grammar

humane (comparative humaner or more humane, superlative humanest or most humane)

Words That Rhyme With Humane

Origin of Humane

From Middle English humain, humayne, from Old French humain, umain, from Latin hūmānus, from Latin homō (“man”). Cognate with Old English guma (“man”), whence the groom in English bridegroom.

How to Pronounce Humane

Humane is pronounced //hjuːˈmeɪn// and has 1 syllable.

Frequently Asked Questions About Humane

What part of speech is humane?

Humane is an adjective.

What is another word for humane?

You can replace humane with words such as compassionate, kind and merciful. See the full list of humane synonyms and antonyms.

What is the opposite of humane?

The opposite of humane can be expressed with words like inhumane, inhuman and nonhumane.

What are the comparative and superlative forms of humane?

The comparative form is humaner and the superlative form is humanest.

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