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

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

Several detainees have reportedly been on a hunger strike to protest the inhumane conditions in these deplorable warehouse camps, with overcrowding, physical and psychological abuse, rancid food, scant medical care and many deaths. — Nancy Rudner, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 June 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