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

My office will hold their victimizer fully accountable for her inhumane actions. — Eric MacK, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026

The order stems from a lawsuit filed two years ago on behalf of two women who contend they were subjected to inhumane conditions while detained in the holding rooms. — Dennis Valera, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026

The inspection took place weeks after the Miami Herald published an investigation into inhumane conditions at Krome — which became so overcrowded that women said they were left on a bus outside in their own urine. — Claire Healy, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2026

Homeland Security said that all detainee facilities are clean, and any allegations of inhumane conditions are false. — Gisela Salomon, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 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