Synonyms of inhumane

inhumane

adjective

ˌin-(ˌ)hyü-ˈmān 

1

as in ruthless

having or showing a lack of sympathy or tender feelings

inhumane wardens who regularly ignored the crying children in their care

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ruthless
• merciless
• stony
• abusive
• oppressive
• inhuman
• cruel
• hard
• brutal
• callous
• harsh
• heartless
• pitiless
• hateful
• insensitive
• compassionless
• malicious
• vicious
• soulless
• tough
• unmerciful
• unfeeling
• remorseless
• grim
• unsympathetic
• uncharitable
• stern
• obdurate
• hard-hearted
• insensate
• unsparing
• affectless
• cold-blooded
• slash-and-burn
• desensitized
• take-no-prisoners
• pachydermatous
• indurate
• severe
• thick-skinned
• savage
• hard-boiled
• uncaring
• thoughtless
• mean
• inconsiderate
• ironhearted
• unfriendly
• case-hardened
• unloving
• unthinking
• stonyhearted
• rough
• boorish
• heedless
• ungentle
• spiteful
• barbarous
• disagreeable
• malevolent
• virulent
• heavy-handed
• bestial
• cold
• acrimonious
• brutish
• rough-and-tumble
• surly
• jackbooted
• ironhanded
• ironfisted
• ill-natured
• sledgehammer
• rancorous
• evil-minded
• hard-bitten
• ill-tempered
• austere
• frosty
• knock-down, drag-out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• humane
• sympathetic
• warm
• sensitive
• charitable
• compassionate
• merciful
• kind
• gentle
• benevolent
• kindly
• mild
• tender
• lenient
• indulgent
• friendly
• softhearted
• kindhearted
• gracious
• warmhearted
• tenderhearted
• cordial
• benignant
• tolerant
• loving
• affectionate
• understanding
• good-natured
• clement
• fond
• good-tempered

2

as in cruel

having or showing the desire to inflict severe pain and suffering on others

an inhumane dictator who tortured and murdered thousands of his own people

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cruel
• brutal
• vicious
• savage
• ruthless
• barbaric
• inhuman
• barbarous
• sadistic
• heartless
• murderous
• atrocious
• merciless
• oppressive
• brute
• ferocious
• harsh
• fiendish
• truculent
• hateful
• butcherly
• malicious
• pitiless
• red in tooth and claw
• wanton
• unfeeling
• grim
• bloodthirsty
• fell
• vindictive
• malignant
• sanguinary
• spiteful
• draconian
• malevolent
• cutthroat
• hard-hearted
• malign
• ironhearted
• mean
• sanguine
• stonyhearted
• nasty
• despiteful
• catty
• heavy-handed
• draconic
• hardhanded

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• humane
• sympathetic
• benign
• kind
• compassionate
• warm
• charitable
• merciful
• lenient
• kindhearted
• benignant
• tender
• good-hearted
• tenderhearted
• peaceful
• pitying
• warmhearted
• peaceable
• pacific
• clement

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of inhumane

That number has remained stubbornly static, aggravating inhumane consequences of long-term homelessness. — Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 5 July 2026

Arianne Betancourt, an immigrant-rights advocate, said the accounts coming from Miramar reflect a larger pattern of inhumane detention conditions. — Vera Lucia Pappaterra, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026

Alligator Alcatraz received numerous complaints about its apparent inhumane conditions, and also faced resistance from the local Miccosukee Tribe, who claimed that the facility impacted its access to the surrounding area and posed risks to the tribe's food and water supply. — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026

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