inhuman

[in-hyoo-muhn, -yoo-]

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

/ ɪnˈhjuːmən /

adjective

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

2. not human

Other Word Forms

• inhumanly adverb
• inhumanness noun
• inhumanely adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of inhuman¹

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

Example Sentences

He said the Croatian journalist was trying to "present me as a monster, as an inhuman, as someone who not only has no emotions, but is a cold-blooded murderer".

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Then she laughs—a gleeful, inhuman, full-throated laugh that contorts her body into unnatural angles and positions.

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

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The government will also narrow the application of Article 3 of the ECHR, which bans inhuman or degrading treatment.

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The UK will join other countries in reforming Article 3 of the ECHR, which is designed to give people protection against inhuman or degrading treatment.

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Related Words

• barbaric 
• barbarous 
• brutal 
• cold-blooded 
• cruel 
• hateful 
• heartless 
• inhumane 
• malicious 
• merciless 
• ruthless 
• savage 
• vicious