inhuman

/ɪnˈ(h)jumən/

/ɪnˈhjumən/

Other forms: inhumanly

If someone behaves in a way that shows no compassion, you could describe that person and his or her actions as inhuman. A teacher who assigns six hours of homework every night might be seen as inhuman.

When people talk about inhuman things, they're usually not talking about dogs or Martians — beings that are literally not human. Rather, this word involves humans who show no regard for their fellow humans. Murdering another person is an inhuman act; slavery is an inhuman institution. Inhuman acts can also be described as inhumane, meaning “heartless and cruel.”

Definitions of inhuman

1. adjective

   without compunction or human feeling
   synonyms: cold, cold-blooded, insensate

   inhumane

   reflecting lack of pity or compassion
2. adjective

   belonging to or resembling something nonhuman
   “something dark and inhuman in form”

   “a babel of inhuman noises”

   synonyms:

   nonhuman

   not human; not belonging to or produced by or appropriate to human beings