inhumane

adjective

in·​hu·​mane ˌin-(ˌ)hyü-ˈmān 

-(ˌ)yü-

: not humane : inhuman sense 1

the inhumane treatment of prisoners

inhumanely adverb

Synonyms of inhumane

• ruthless
• merciless
• stony

Examples of inhumane in a Sentence

inhumane wardens who regularly ignored the crying children in their care

an inhumane dictator who tortured and murdered thousands of his own people

Recent Examples on the Web

Maher’s excuses and humanization of an inhumane president doesn’t help change things for the better. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 30 Oct. 2026

Zaragoza compared incarceration with modern slavery, describing the treatment of inmates as inhumane. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026

Amnesty International published a report in September detailing allegations of inhumane treatment by Spanish soldiers. — ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026

What readers are saying The comments express strong disapproval of Pete Hegseth's plan to livestream an execution, criticizing it as inhumane and a historical low for the country. — Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle French inhumain & Latin inhumanus

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for inhumane

• aeroplane
• appertain
• ascertain
• capitaine
• cassegrain
• cellophane
• chatelaine
• counterpane
• entertain
• halothane
• hurricane
• hyperplane

Kids Definition

inhumane

adjective

in·​hu·​mane ˌin-(ˌ)hyü-ˈmān 

-(ˌ)yü-

: not humane : inhuman sense 1

inhumane treatment of prisoners

inhumanely adverb