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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

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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.

"We’ve been here for a very long time, since January 8 for most of us, sleeping under tents, living here in an inhuman way. We’re at our limit," Quiaro told AFP.

From Barron's

She remembers Caroline's reaction: "I heard my daughter scream. It was almost inhuman, that scream."

From BBC

As satisfying or convenient as it may be in the short term to describe ICE officers as inhuman monsters, that will ultimately backfire.

From Salon

Forty years ago, “RoboCop” imagined a world in which a police officer could be recast as a highly efficient, if inhuman, crime-fighting cyborg.

From Salon

He has denounced the "inhuman" treatment of migrants, urged dialogue in Venezuela and lamented a "diplomacy of force".

From Barron's