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

The Casa livestream twist is an inhumane form of torture that the girls are not taking lightly. — Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 22 June 2026

Opponents, though, complain the rides are both inhumane to horses and a danger to people. — Philip Marcelo, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026

Critics alleged inhumane conditions, including poor food, nonfunctional toilets and a lack of access to attorneys. — Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 17 June 2026

In another, a judge mulling permanent restrictions on ICE’s operations in the building last year deemed the agency’s detention of asylum seekers inhumane. — Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 11 June 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