Inhumane
ˌɪn.hjuːˈmeɪn
Definitions
Cruel and causing suffering, especially to people or animals; not showing kindness or sympathy.
ˌɪn.hjuːˈmeɪn
Lacking compassion or kindness; cruel; brutal
The inhumane conditions in the prison led to widespread criticism.
💡 Simply: Think of it like this: imagine you saw a kitten being left out in the cold without food or water. That's an inhumane act because it shows no kindness or caring for a living thing. Basically, it means being mean or cruel.
👶 For kids: Being inhumane means being mean or cruel, like not giving a pet food or water.
More Examples
The company was accused of inhumane treatment of its employees.
The experiment involved inhumane procedures that caused significant harm to the animals.
How It's Used
"The inhumane treatment of prisoners was condemned by human rights organizations."
"Animal rights activists protested against the inhumane practices of the factory farm."
"The inhumane conditions endured by slaves during the transatlantic slave trade are well documented."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
From Latin *inhūmānus* ('not human, cruel'), from *in-* ('not') + *hūmānus* ('human'). The word reflects a lack of compassion or kindness associated with human nature.
The word 'inhumane' has been used since the 16th century, initially to describe actions lacking the qualities of human nature, later evolving to specifically denote cruelty and a lack of compassion. Usage became more prevalent during periods marked by social injustice and conflict.
Memory tip
Imagine an 'in' which blocks 'human' feelings. That's inhumane!
Word Origin
"not human"