humanism

noun

hu·​man·​ism ˈhyü-mə-ˌni-zəm How to pronounce humanism (audio)
ˈyü-
1
a
: devotion to the humanities : literary culture
b
: the revival of classical letters, individualistic and critical spirit, and emphasis on secular concerns characteristic of the Renaissance
2
: devotion to human welfare : humanitarianism
renowned for his humanism
3
: a doctrine, attitude, or way of life centered on human interests or values
especially : a philosophy that usually rejects supernaturalism and stresses an individual's dignity and worth and capacity for self-realization through reason : secular humanism
humanist noun or adjective
humanistic adjective
humanistically adverb

Examples of humanism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Despite their warmth and humanism, his films can sometimes seem scathing or pessimistic — tragic comedies sculpted from the granite of American life. Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2025 The pastor initially sees him as a person in need but comes to believe that divine revelations have revealed him as a demon deserving the ultimate punishment, whereas the detective begins with total condemnation but has to move towards humanism. Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Mar. 2025 That’s not hyperbole — literally no other RPGs blend humanism and sci-fi with philosophy, reflections on grief, and religious commentary the way Tetsuya Takahashi and his writers have for the last 30 years. Josh Broadwell, Rolling Stone, 18 Mar. 2025 The writer-director Mike White has developed a sturdy blueprint for this series, combining beautiful locations, talented actors, dark social satire, gentle humanism and just a little bit of mystery. Noel Murray, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for humanism

Word History

Etymology

see human entry 1

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of humanism was in 1836

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Cite this Entry

“Humanism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/humanism. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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