human rights

plural noun

: rights (such as freedom from unlawful imprisonment, torture, and execution) regarded as belonging fundamentally to all persons

Examples of human rights in a Sentence

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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.
Russia and Ukraine are engaged in talks on ending the plight of people trapped in Oleshky, Ukrainian human rights commissioner Dmytro Lubinets said in an interview with Espreso. — Samya Kullab, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026 When a human rights group tipped off authorities to the cult in 2023, some of the members were rescued. — Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2026 Settler attacks ​on the Palestinians ⁠are surging, with at least 170 since September 27, according to Yesh Din, an Israeli human rights group. — Reuters, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2026 Ukrainian human rights commissioner Dmytro Lubinets said in an interview with Espreso. — Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for human rights

Word History

First Known Use

1629, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of human rights was in 1629

Rhymes for human rights

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Browse Nearby Words

human right
human rights
human rights abuse
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Cite this Entry

“Human rights.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/human%20rights. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Legal Definition

human rights

noun plural
: rights (as freedom from unlawful imprisonment, torture, and execution) regarded as belonging fundamentally to all people

More from Merriam-Webster on human rights

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about human rights

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