If a person or society has humanitarian ideas or behaviour, they try to avoid making people suffer or they help people who are suffering.
The men were released on humanitarian grounds.
...humanitarian aid.
A humanitarian is someone with humanitarian ideas.
I like to think of myself as a humanitarian.
More Synonyms of humanitarian
humanitarian in British English
(hjuːˌmænɪˈtɛərɪən)
adjective
1.
having the interests of humankind at heart
2.
of or relating to ethical or theological humanitarianism
noun
3.
a philanthropist
4.
an adherent of humanitarianism
humanitarian in American English
(hjuˌmænəˈtɛriən; juˌmænəˈtɛriən)
noun
1.
a person devoted to promoting the welfare of humanity, esp. through the elimination of pain and suffering; philanthropist
2.
an adherent of humanitarianism (sense 2)
adjective
3.
helping humanity
4.
of humanitarianism
SIMILAR WORDS: ˌphilanˈthropic
Examples of 'humanitarian' in a sentence
humanitarian
The aftermath could require a massive humanitarian relief operation.
The Sun (2016)
With winter setting in, aid agencies have warned of an impending humanitarian catastrophe should civilians not receive shelter and support.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Humanitarian disasters looming on the doorstep of the US will propel more migration northwards.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But the humanitarian situation is very, very, tragic.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The relationship between the convention and international humanitarian law is also'a matter of great complexity and uncertainty '.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The US also sought a supply route into Aleppo from the north for humanitarian aid.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He rejected their demands, saying there was no clear evidence of any risk that British weapons could be used in violation of international humanitarian law.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Aid agencies warned of a humanitarian disaster as government refugee camps were swamped.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The officials said that the priority had been on emergency humanitarian relief not reconstruction.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
We are talking at the moment about a humanitarian operation.
The Sun (2014)
That is justifiable in itself on humanitarian grounds.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Residents are warning of a humanitarian catastrophe.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
They urged both to respect international humanitarian law and allow them free passage.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
He asked that she be bailed on humanitarian grounds.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It has shamed policymakers into considering the humanitarian catastrophe that is the predictableoutcome of inaction.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Aid workers have said that an offensive risks a humanitarian catastrophe.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
She says that finding ways to improve humanitarian aid through raising awareness and building relationships with big business is her key motivation.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Britain has offered 600 million in humanitarian aid.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Emergency humanitarian relief for natural and man-made disasters presents the biggest challenge.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Second, we are rallying international attention on the humanitarian situation.
The Sun (2011)
This is a humanitarian operation '.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Aid agencies are now warning that the destruction of the cyclone could only be the beginning of a long line of humanitarian disasters for the island nation.
Christianity Today (2000)
Why has Big Europe not moved in sharply with money and humanitarian aid?
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The humanitarian operation is not led by civilian agencies, but by the Pentagon.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In other languages
humanitarian
British English: humanitarian /hjuːˌmænɪˈtɛərɪən/ ADJECTIVE
If a person or society has humanitarian ideas or behaviour, they try to avoid making people suffer or they help people who are suffering.
Air bombardment raised criticism on the humanitarian grounds that innocent civilians might suffer.
American English: humanitarian
Arabic: إِنْسَانِيٌّ
Brazilian Portuguese: humanitário
Chinese: 人道主义的
Croatian: humanitaran
Czech: humanitární
Danish: humanitær
Dutch: humanitair
European Spanish: humanitario
Finnish: humanitaarinen
French: humanitaire
German: Menschenrechtler
Greek: ανθρωπιστικός
Italian: umanitario
Japanese: 人道主義の
Korean: 인도주의자
Norwegian: humanitær
Polish: humanitarny
European Portuguese: humanitário
Romanian: umanitar
Russian: гуманный
Latin American Spanish: humanitario
Swedish: humanitär
Thai: มีมนุษยธรรม
Turkish: hümanist
Ukrainian: гуманітарний
Vietnamese: nhân đạo
Chinese translation of 'humanitarian'
humanitarian
(hjuːmænɪˈtɛərɪən)
adj
[aid, principles]人道主义(義)的 (rédào zhǔyì de)
on humanitarian grounds以人道主义(義)的原则(則) (yǐ réndào zhǔyì de yuánzé)
1 (adjective)
They will be released as a humanitarian act.
Synonyms
compassionate
My father was a deeply compassionate man.
charitable
He made large donations to numerous charitable organizations.
humane
Their aim is for a more just and humane society.
benevolent
a most benevolent employer
altruistic
motives that are not entirely altruistic
beneficent
In 1909 nuns were running more than 1,000 beneficent institutions.
2 (adjective)
Definition
having the interests of mankind at heart
a convoy of humanitarian aid
Synonyms
charitable
philanthropic
the philanthropic aims of the organization
public-spirited
Thanks to a group of public-spirited citizens, the garden has been preserved.
(noun)
Definition
a person who has the interests of mankind at heart
I like to think of myself as a humanitarian.
Synonyms
philanthropist
He is a philanthropist and patron of the arts.
benefactor
In his old age he became a benefactor of the arts.
Good Samaritan
altruist
Additional synonyms
in the sense of altruist
Synonyms
humanitarian,
philanthropist
in the sense of altruistic
motives that are not entirely altruistic
Synonyms
selfless,
generous,
humanitarian,
charitable,
benevolent,
considerate,
self-sacrificing,
philanthropic,
unselfish,
public-spirited
in the sense of benefactor
Definition
a person who supports a person or institution by giving money
In his old age he became a benefactor of the arts.