adjective

inhumane

in-hyoo-MAYN

Inhumane (adjective) means Cruel, brutal, or lacking any compassion for the suffering of people or animals. Example: “Campaigners described the conditions in the detention centre as inhumane.”

adjective

Cruel, brutal, or lacking any compassion for the suffering of people or animals.

"Campaigners described the conditions in the detention centre as inhumane."

"Keeping a dog chained outside all winter is simply inhumane."

Causing avoidable pain or distress, especially in the way animals are kept, transported or killed.

"The charity is lobbying to ban inhumane slaughter methods."

How to use inhumane

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSo cruel that it causes suffering nobody should have to go through.

When to use it

Neutral to formal; common in journalism, law and animal-welfare writing.

Memory tip

Stress the last syllable: in-hyoo-MAYN, matching humane rather than human.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

inhuman → unhumane humane →

Common pairings

inhumane treatment inhumane conditions cruel and inhumane inhumane practices

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Campaigners described the conditions in the detention centre as _____.

Etymology

From Latin in- 'not' plus humanus 'human, humane', the same root that gives human and humanity.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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cruel brutal barbaric heartless callous inhuman

Antonyms

humane compassionate merciful

Related words

mean human evil violent sensitive harsh caring cruel

Rhymes for inhumane

cane lane Dane mane vane pane bane sane wane Jane fane Zane

See all rhymes for inhumane →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between inhumane and inhuman?

Inhumane describes treatment that is cruel or causes needless suffering, and is usually applied to actions, conditions or policies. Inhuman is stronger and more sweeping: it suggests something monstrous or not recognisably human at all, and can describe a person's whole nature. An overcrowded kennel is inhumane; a torturer might be called inhuman.

Is inhumane the opposite of humane?

Yes. Humane means showing kindness and reducing suffering, so inhumane means the reverse. Note that the opposite of human is non-human, not inhumane.

Can you call a person inhumane?

You can, but it is more natural to call their behaviour or their treatment of someone inhumane. English usually attaches the word to acts, systems and conditions rather than to individuals.

What is the meaning of inhumane?

"inhumane" (adjective) means cruel, brutal, or lacking any compassion for the suffering of people or animals.

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