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
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
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
In these seemingly inhuman terrains, the figure coyly persists: a woman’s profile appears along the sheer side of a craggy peak; another’s eye peeks out from a crevasse.
—Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
In the late 1800s, many Americans believed that Chinese immigrants brought disease, crime, and vice, along with an inhuman work ethic.
—Viet Thanh Nguyễn, Time, 28 Apr. 2025
Faced with the raging wars of recent years, with their inhuman horrors and countless deaths and destruction, Pope Francis incessantly raised his voice imploring peace and calling for reason and honest negotiation to find possible solutions.
—Abc News, ABC News, 26 Apr. 2025
The draconian rules imposed upon women and girls in Afghanistan are strictly enforced with those objecting being threatened, beaten, detained and subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment in detention.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inhuman
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Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
In the late 1800s, many Americans believed that Chinese immigrants brought disease, crime, and vice, along with an inhuman work ethic.
—Viet Thanh Nguyễn, Time, 28 Apr. 2025
Faced with the raging wars of recent years, with their inhuman horrors and countless deaths and destruction, Pope Francis incessantly raised his voice imploring peace and calling for reason and honest negotiation to find possible solutions.
—Abc News, ABC News, 26 Apr. 2025
The draconian rules imposed upon women and girls in Afghanistan are strictly enforced with those objecting being threatened, beaten, detained and subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment in detention.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inhuman
Cite this Entry
“Inhuman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inhuman. Accessed 19 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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