adj
Uncommon
inhuman
ihn-HYOO-muhn
Inhuman (adj) means Shockingly cruel or brutal, lacking normal human kindness. Example: “The prisoners were kept in inhuman conditions.”
adj
1
Shockingly cruel or brutal, lacking normal human kindness.
"The prisoners were kept in inhuman conditions."
"It was an inhuman act of violence against innocent civilians."
How to use inhuman
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSo cruel it seems to go beyond what a decent human being would do.
Common mistake
Don't mix up with inhumane, which specifically means causing needless suffering (e.g., inhumane treatment of animals); inhuman is broader and can also just mean "not human-like."
Easily confused with
Common pairings
inhuman conditions
inhuman cruelty
inhuman treatment
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like inhuman.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Comparative
- more inhuman
- Superlative
- most inhuman
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The prisoners were kept in _____ conditions.
Etymology
From Latin inhumanus, "not human" — in- ("not") plus humanus.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for inhuman
See all rhymes for inhuman →Frequently asked questions
What does “inhuman” mean?
The word “inhuman” means shockingly cruel or brutal, lacking normal human kindness. In plain terms, so cruel it seems to go beyond what a decent human being would do.
How do you pronounce “inhuman”?
“Inhuman” is pronounced ihn-HYOO-muhn (/ɪnˈhjuːmən/ in IPA).
How do you use “inhuman” in a sentence?
Here is “inhuman” used in a sentence: “The prisoners were kept in inhuman conditions.”
What is the opposite of “inhuman”?
The opposite of “inhuman” — its antonyms — is humane.
What part of speech is “inhuman”?
“Inhuman” is an adjective.
Where does the word “inhuman” come from?
The word “inhuman” comes from Latin. From Latin inhumanus, "not human" — in- ("not") plus humanus.
Is “inhuman” a common word?
“Inhuman” is an uncommon word in modern English.
