inhumane
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of inhumane
Compare meaning
How does inhumane compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
The adjective inhumane means cruel and heartless. Use it to describe terrible things like your neighbor's inhumane treatment of his hound dogs, which he leaves tied up in the yard in all kinds of weather. Whenever someone acts without considering the discomfort or pain of another person or animal, you can describe their actions as inhumane. A cruel government that keeps prisoners in terrible conditions is inhumane, and the treatment of farm animals is in some cases revealed to be inhumane by investigators. The word inhumane was originally a synonym of inhuman, literally "not human," but it fell out of use and then was revived in the 1820s to mean the opposite of humane.
Vocabulary lists containing inhumane
"Letter from Birmingham Jail" by Martin Luther King, Jr. (1963)
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Negative Words to Describe a Person
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Surviving Hitler
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Campaigners have claimed that the sentences could amount to inhumane and degrading treatment.
From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026
Humanitarian groups have harshly criticized the transfers, saying they put migrants at risk of incarceration and inhumane treatment.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026
“That was so outrageous and inhumane and a gut punch to the families,” she says.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026
The second got more personal: “Someday, your children will come across your disgusting and inhumane question,” it read.
From Slate ● Aug. 18, 2026
I found this one of the most inhumane restrictions of the prison system.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
