inhuman

adjective

in·​hu·​man (ˌ)in-ˈhyü-mən How to pronounce inhuman (audio)
-ˈyü-
1
a
: lacking pity, kindness, or mercy : savage
an inhuman tyrant
b
: cold, impersonal
his usual quiet, almost inhuman courtesyF. Tennyson Jesse
c
: not worthy of or conforming to the needs of human beings
inhuman living conditions
2
: of or suggesting a nonhuman class of beings
inhumanly adverb
inhumanness noun

Examples of inhuman in a Sentence

He let out an inhuman moan. She had an almost inhuman desire to succeed.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For example, if in an upcoming season of one of the spinoffs, people started using superpowers like flight and inhuman strength, or using futuristic laser guns, audiences would rightly be confused and thrown for a loop. Erik Kain, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025 In the world of Eraserhead, the first feature of David Lynch, everything is emphatically not fine: Strange industrial noises fill the soundtrack, all efforts at human connection go awry, and worst of all, our hero has fathered a disgusting inhuman creature the wriggles and oozes all over its crib. Alison Willmore, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025 From the second half of the 20th century, pioneering thinkers such as American author and activist Jane Jacobs and Danish architect Jan Gehl began highlighting the inhuman way our cities were being shaped, with boring constructions, barren spaces and brutal expressways. Thomas Heatherwick, WIRED, 2 Jan. 2025 In working to capture the evil Orlok exudes, Skarsgård focused his efforts on becoming as inhuman as possible. Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 21 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for inhuman 

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of inhuman was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near inhuman

Cite this Entry

“Inhuman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inhuman. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

inhuman

adjective
in·​hu·​man (ˈ)in-ˈhyü-mən How to pronounce inhuman (audio)
-ˈyü-
1
a
: lacking pity or kindness : savage
b
: lacking human warmth : impersonal
c
: not fit for human needs
inhuman conditions
2
: unlike what is typically human
an inhuman cry
inhumanly adverb
inhumanness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on inhuman

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!