inhuman

[ in-hyoo-muhnor, often, -yoo- ]

adjective

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

   an inhuman master.

   Synonyms: unsympathetic, brutish, savage, hard, callous, cold, unfeeling

2. not suited for human beings.
3. not human.

inhuman

/ ɪnˈhjuːmən /

adjective

1. Alsoinhumaneˌɪnhjuːˈmeɪn lacking humane feelings, such as sympathy, understanding, etc; cruel; brutal
2. not human

Derived Forms

• inˈhumanness, noun
• inˈhumanly, adverb
• ˌinhuˈmanely, adverb

Other Words From

• in·human·ly adverb
• in·human·ness noun

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

Current European law was spelt out only two weeks ago by the European Court of Justice, which said a country could only be considered safe if "persecution... torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment is never resorted to".

From BBC

Many have been subject to torture and inhuman treatment.

From BBC

Over the last three years, the 20-year-old British actor has become inextricably linked to his character on the Netflix series “Heartstopper,” a kind-hearted teenager with an almost inhuman capacity for happiness, vulnerability and generosity.

From Los Angeles Times

That’s a lot of rallies and an almost inhuman amount of flying.

From Salon

"How can we think about any inhuman produce like a human? Googly eyes," said Kim.

From Salon

Related Words

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