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

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

The image of a laughing woman in a role of power is tough to tolerate if you believe that executive leadership demands a steely, inhuman, statue-like laconicism.

From Salon

She said cases involved alleged “breaches of fundamental rights, including the right to liberty and prohibition on inhuman and degrading treatment”.

From BBC

Related Words

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