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

Recent Examples on the Web
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Erdoğan first emerged during the post-Cold War decade of unipolar, American triumph, adopting the language of free markets, liberalism, and human rights, and stretched those politics of optimism into the brief euphoria of the Obama years. Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026 On Monday, April 27, the human rights lawyer, 48, appeared at the 51st Chaplin Award Gala alongside her husband George Clooney, who was being honored at the event. Staff Author, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026 Critics say this outsources detention to foreign governments − often with records of human rights abuses, minimal oversight and unclear legal protections. Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026 The Belafonte Award, established by late Tribeca chief content officer Paula Weinstein, is given to artists who use their platform to advance equality, dignity and human rights. Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 28 Apr. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Human rights.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/human%20rights. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

Legal Definition

human rights

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

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