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inhuman

American  
[in-hyoo-muhn, -yoo-] / ɪnˈhyu mən, -ˈyu- /

adjective

  1. lacking qualities of sympathy, pity, warmth, compassion, or the like; cruel; brutal.

    an inhuman master.
    Synonyms:
    brutish, savage, hard, callous, cold, unsympathetic, unfeeling

  2. not suited for human beings.

  3. not human.

inhuman British  
/ ɪnˈhjuːmən /

adjective

  1. Also: inhumane.  lacking humane feelings, such as sympathy, understanding, etc; cruel; brutal

  2. not human

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • inhumanely adverb
  • inhumanly adverb
  • inhumanness noun

Etymology

Origin of inhuman

First recorded in 1475–85; from Latin inhūmānus; replacing late Middle English inhumain, from Middle French, from Latin; in- 3, human

Compare meaning

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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.

Philosophy without a biography turns inhuman; biography without a philosophy becomes inert.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

"It's inhuman to live like this, a prisoner in your own home," Ana told AFP using a pseudonym, as do her husband and son.

From Barron's • Feb. 1, 2026

But even when things get shaky, Seyfried is there to buttress the film with a truly inhuman strength.

From Salon • Jan. 31, 2026

That’s where Hans Zimmer and “F1” come hurtling in: His score for the summer race-car movie starring Brad Pitt is a pulsing electronica joy ride — a dance track for humans traveling at inhuman speed.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 1, 2025

And how did this inhuman curse that Madame Ionesco spoke of figure into things?

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood

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.