inhumane — Lacking compassion for suffering; cruel and causing pain or hardship to others
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: Lacking compassion for suffering; cruel and causing pain or hardship to others
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˌɪn.hjuːˈmeɪn/
Example Sentences
- The prison's overcrowded cells were criticized as inhumane by human rights groups.
- Making interns work 20 hours straight without even a coffee break is downright inhumane!
- The reform bill seeks to ban inhumane working conditions in factories.
inhumane
ADJECTIVE[/ˌɪn.hjuːˈmeɪn/]
Lacking compassion for suffering; cruel and causing pain or hardship to others

The inhumane conditions in the crowded cage shocked every visitor at the shelter.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Inhumane derives from Latin 'humanus' (human, of mankind) through the adjective 'humane' (humane, compassionate). The negative prefix 'in-' (not) was added to create the opposite meaning, transforming the sense from 'befitting human compassion' to 'lacking humanity or compassion.'
Breakdown
in- (not) + human (humankind, from Latin humanus) + -e (adjective suffix) = the negation of humane, meaning cruel or devoid of compassion.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The prison's overcrowded cells were criticized as inhumane by human rights groups.”
“Making interns work 20 hours straight without even a coffee break is downright inhumane!”
“The reform bill seeks to ban inhumane working conditions in factories.”
“My roommate's habit of eating my snacks without asking is inhumane, honestly.”
“Animal rights activists protested the inhumane transport of livestock.”
📚Related Words
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