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

Stephen Miller is the architect of the most barbaric, inhumane policies of this administration. — Emily Feng, NPR, 6 Nov. 2026

So notoriously gruelling are the demands on trainee idols that the Korean government has a contract template to forestall the most inhumane conditions. — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 5 Nov. 2026

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

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