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
Synonyms
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
These included conspiracy to mete out cruel and inhuman treatment to civilian detainees, including U.S. citizens, during the Syrian civil war that began in 2011.
—Kanishka Singh, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024
The big picture: The charges of conspiracy to commit a war crime of cruel and inhuman treatment against former Syrian Air Force Intelligence officers Jamil Hassan, 72, and Abdul Salam Mahmoud, 65, mark the first time the U.S. has brought charges against Assad officials for human rights abuses.
—Rebecca Falconer, Axios, 10 Dec. 2024
The report also alleged that people were tortured, held in inhuman conditions and given fines.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024
The mother of Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister called it ‘inhuman’ on TV.
—Phil Hay, The Athletic, 15 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for inhuman 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Kanishka Singh, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024
The big picture: The charges of conspiracy to commit a war crime of cruel and inhuman treatment against former Syrian Air Force Intelligence officers Jamil Hassan, 72, and Abdul Salam Mahmoud, 65, mark the first time the U.S. has brought charges against Assad officials for human rights abuses.
—Rebecca Falconer, Axios, 10 Dec. 2024
The report also alleged that people were tortured, held in inhuman conditions and given fines.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024
The mother of Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister called it ‘inhuman’ on TV.
—Phil Hay, The Athletic, 15 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for inhuman
Dictionary Entries Near inhuman
Cite this Entry
“Inhuman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inhuman. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share