humanitarianadjective, noun [ C ]
uk/hjuːˌmæn.ɪˈteə.ri.ən/us/hjuːˌmæn.ɪˈter.i.ən/C2 (a person who is) involved in or connected with improving people's lives and reducing suffering:
The prisoner has been released for humanitarian reasons.
The United Nations is sending humanitarian aid (= food and supplies to help people) to the areas worst affected by the conflict.
The well-known humanitarian, Joseph Rowntree, was concerned with the welfare of his employees.
More examples
- The Vatican has agreed to donate $80,000 in humanitarian aid to countries affected by the war.
- A huge relief effort will be required to avert a humanitarian disaster.
- She reported on the humanitarian crisis in the region.
- Humanitarian aid is being airlifted to the country.
- The sanctions have been lifted for humanitarian reasons.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Generous & charitable
- altruistic
- beneficent
- big-hearted
- bountiful
- charitable
- free
- generosity
- handout
- humane
- humanity
- Lady Bountiful
- largesse
- lavish
- open-handed
- philanthropic
- philanthropist
- public-spirited
- sweet
- unsparing
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humanitarianism
noun [ U ] uk/hjuːˌmæn.ɪˈteə.ri.ə.nɪ.zəm/us/hjuːˌmæn.ɪˈter.i.ə.nɪ.zəm/