Library / English Dictionary

HUMANISTIC

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (adjective) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Marked by humanistic values and devotion to human welfare

Example:

respect and humanistic regard for all members of our species

Synonyms:

human-centered; human-centred; humanist; humanistic; humanitarian

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

humane (marked or motivated by concern with the alleviation of suffering)

Derivation:

humanism (the doctrine that people's duty is to promote human welfare)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Pertaining to or concerned with the humanities

Example:

a humane education

Synonyms:

humane; humanist; humanistic

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Pertainym:

humanities (studies intended to provide general knowledge and intellectual skills (rather than occupational or professional skills))

Sense 3

Meaning:

Of or pertaining to Renaissance humanism

Example:

the humanistic revival of learning

Synonyms:

humanist; humanistic

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Pertainym:

humanism (the cultural movement of the Renaissance; based on classical studies)

Derivation:

humanism (the cultural movement of the Renaissance; based on classical studies)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Of or pertaining to a philosophy asserting human dignity and man's capacity for fulfillment through reason and scientific method and often rejecting religion

Example:

the humanist belief in continuous emergent evolution

Synonyms:

humanist; humanistic

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Pertainym:

humanism (the doctrine emphasizing a person's capacity for self-realization through reason; rejects religion and the supernatural)

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