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

Villafranca relayed allegedly inhumane conditions in Camp East Montana, according to her husband. — Catherine Bouvet, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026

How could anyone do this dastardly, inhumane, barbaric escape? — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2026

The collaboration, which comprises exclusive and previously unreleased music, pairs more than 30 icons from music, spoken-word, and comedy to raise funds for immigrant rights and battle the inhumane action from ICE. — Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2026

The reporting has been gratuitous and inhumane, no one deserves this hounding. — Nancy Doyle, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 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