inhumanity

noun

in·​hu·​man·​i·​ty ˌin-(ˌ)hyü-ˈma-nə-tē 

-(ˌ)yü-

plural inhumanities

1

a

: the quality or state of being cruel or barbarous

b

: a cruel or barbarous act

2

: absence of warmth or geniality : impersonality

Synonyms

• atrociousness
• atrocity
• barbarity
• barbarousness
• brutality
• cruelness
• cruelty
• fiendishness
• heartlessness
• inhumanness
• sadism
• savageness
• savagery
• truculence
• viciousness
• wantonness

Examples of inhumanity in a Sentence

man's inhumanity to man has been a recurring theme in human history

Recent Examples on the Web

Presenting inhumanity in a contemporary style that draws us in, Shahn employed color and line to summon the viewer’s full attention. —airmail.news, 6 Jan. 2024

This distinction is what keeps Rawls’s view from lapsing into inhumanity. —Becca Rothfeld, Harper's Magazine, 2 Mar. 2024

Nonetheless, the authorities have responded by instigating fear and treating citizens with inhumanity. —Maryia Sadouskaya-Komlach, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2020

Throughout his diary, excerpts of which we are honored to share today with our readers, Navalny writes with a fierce moral clarity about the inhumanity of Vladimir Putin’s regime, and about the power of its opposite force—the humanity of his fellow-countrymen. —David Remnick, The New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for inhumanity

• christianity
• humanity
• inanity
• insanity
• profanity
• urbanity
• sanity
• vanity

Kids Definition

inhumanity

noun

in·​hu·​man·​i·​ty ˌin-(ˌ)hyü-ˈman-ət-ē 

-(ˌ)yü-

plural inhumanities

: a cruel or barbarous act or attitude