adjective
inhuman
in-HYOO-mun/ɪnˈhjuːmən/
Outside what is regarded as human in nature.
The captor shows inhuman cruelty by denying the thirsty captive water.
Etymology
Latin humanus could mean kind or civilized as well as human. Negating those valued human qualities produced a word for savage or cruel behavior, already present in Latin.
In context
But is not my uncle an inhuman brute--a fearless, desperate man, who carries out, with utter disregard of human life, the amazing plots
More examples
- The prisoners endure inhuman conditions in the overcrowded cells.
- An inhuman scream echoes through the empty building.
- The creature lifts the truck with inhuman strength.
Forms
inhuman
inhumanity noun — Cruelty that shows a lack of compassion.
inhumanly adverb — In a cruel or seemingly nonhuman way.
Similar words
- cruel
- Emphasizes causing suffering rather than lacking recognizable human qualities.
- nonhuman
- Means not human, without necessarily suggesting cruelty or strangeness.
- superhuman
- Describes abilities exceeding human limits, rather than cruelty.