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.
These new provisions have been met with skepticism from human rights groups, including fears that deportation centers hosted abroad could morph into long-term holding facilities overflowing with asylum seekers stuck in legal limbo. — ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026 According to human rights groups, provincial police also assaulted and illegally detained protesters. — Natalia Cote-Muñoz, Foreign Affairs, 3 Aug. 2026 The countries have diverged not only over such long-standing issues as trade, Taiwan, human rights, and espionage but also, increasingly, over the politics of technology. — Evan Osnos, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026 Memories of Imperial Japan’s human rights abuses were still fresh in people’s minds – fueling fears that any such law or intelligence reform could backslide once again to surveillance, militarism and repression. — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 31 July 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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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 5 Aug. 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

Nglish: Translation of human rights for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about human rights

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