inhuman

adjective

in·​hu·​man (ˌ)in-ˈhyü-mən 

-ˈyü-

1

a

: lacking pity, kindness, or mercy : savage

an inhuman tyrant

b

: cold, impersonal

his usual quiet, almost inhuman courtesy

—F. Tennyson Jesse

c

: not worthy of or conforming to the needs of human beings

inhuman living conditions

2

: of or suggesting a nonhuman class of beings

inhumanly adverb

inhumanness

(ˌ)in-ˈhyü-mən-nəs 

-ˈyü-

noun

Synonyms

• bitter
• brutal
• burdensome
• cruel
• excruciating
• grievous
• grim
• hard
• hardhanded
• harsh
• heavy
• murderous
• onerous
• oppressive
• rough
• rugged
• searing
• severe
• stiff
• tough
• trying

Examples of inhuman in a Sentence

He let out an inhuman moan.

She had an almost inhuman desire to succeed.

Recent Examples on the Web

Its resemblance to an Italian palazzo made Shrubland Hall one of the most extravagant properties in England, and burnished the Middletons’ social standing—all at a hideous and inhuman cost. —Naomi Huffman, The Atlantic, 10 July 2024

What Hamas did was horrendous and inhuman, however, Netanyahu’s response of killing at least 30,000 Gazans, mostly women and children, is equally deplorable. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2024

The title creatures, which are summoned to overthrow warlords in feudal Japan, are just inhuman enough to distinguish themselves. —James Grebey, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2024

But the result often feels inhuman, if not disorienting. —Blake Snow, WIRED, 5 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English inhumayne, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French inhumain, from Latin inhumanus, from in- + humanus human

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

inhuman

adjective

in·​hu·​man (ˈ)in-ˈhyü-mən 

-ˈyü-

1

a

: lacking pity or kindness : savage

b

: lacking human warmth : impersonal

c

: not fit for human needs

inhuman conditions

2

: unlike what is typically human

an inhuman cry

inhumanly adverb

inhumanness noun