inhuman

adjective in·hu·man \(ˌ)in-ˈhyü-mən, -ˈyü-\

: very fierce or cruel

: having or showing no interest in individual people or their feelings : lacking emotional warmth

: not good enough for people to use or live in : extremely poor, dirty, or unhealthy

Full Definition of INHUMAN

a : lacking pity, kindness, or mercy : savage <an inhuman tyrant>

b : cold, impersonal <his usual quiet, almost inhuman courtesy — F. Tennyson Jesse>

c : not worthy of or conforming to the needs of human beings <inhuman living conditions>

: of or suggesting a nonhuman class of beings

— in·hu·man·ly adverb

— in·hu·man·ness \-mən-nəs\ noun

See inhuman defined for English-language learners

See inhuman defined for kids

Middle English inhumayne, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French inhumain, from Latin inhumanus, from in- + humanus human

First Known Use: 15th century

Synonyms: bitter, brutal, burdensome, cruel, excruciating, grievous, grim, hard, hardhanded, heavy, harsh, murderous, onerous, oppressive, rough, rugged, searing, severe, stiff, tough, trying

INHUMAN Defined for Kids

adjective in·hu·man \in-ˈhyü-mən, -ˈyü-\

: lacking pity or kindness <an inhuman tyrant>

: unlike what might be expected by a human <an inhuman scream>

Next Word in the Dictionary: inhumanePrevious Word in the Dictionary: in–houseAll Words Near: inhuman

What made you want to look up inhuman? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).