adjective
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Also: inhumane. lacking humane feelings, such as sympathy, understanding, etc; cruel; brutal
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not human
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of inhuman
First recorded in 1475–85; from Latin inhūmānus; replacing late Middle English inhumain, from Middle French, from Latin; see origin at in- 3, human
Compare meaning
How does inhuman compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
If someone behaves in a way that shows no compassion, you could describe that person and his or her actions as inhuman. A teacher who assigns six hours of homework every night might be seen as inhuman. When people talk about inhuman things, they're usually not talking about dogs or Martians — beings that are literally not human. Rather, this word involves humans who show no regard for their fellow humans. Murdering another person is an inhuman act; slavery is an inhuman institution. Inhuman acts can also be described as inhumane, meaning “heartless and cruel.”
Vocabulary lists containing inhuman
Sounder
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Zlata’s Diary
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Stormbreaker
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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.
The power of his work resides not in ideological argument or moral screed but in the observation of characters struggling to maintain their humanity in an inhuman system.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026
Pope Leo - the first American Pope - has repeatedly condemned the war in Iran, saying it has led to "absurd and inhuman violence".
From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026
Philosophy without a biography turns inhuman; biography without a philosophy becomes inert.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026
"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 • Feb. 16, 2026
Being a medical student, of course, I have an inhuman schedule, and everyone makes allowances for that.
From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver
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.
