# inhumane

/ˌɪnhjuˈmeɪn/ (US) · /ɪnhjuːmˈeɪn/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/inhumane
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

extremely cruel or causing a lot of suffering. It describes treatment that is so bad it does not seem like it belongs to a kind human world.

For teachers: lacking humanity, kindness, or compassion; causing unnecessary suffering. Often used to describe conditions or treatment that violate basic human rights.

## Examples

- The prisoners were kept in inhumane conditions.
- International observers condemned the inhumane treatment of refugees at the border camps.
- The report highlighted the inhumane practices within the factory, where employees were forced to work eighteen-hour shifts without adequate breaks or ventilation.

## Pitfalls

- Not "unhumane" but "inhumane" — While 'un-' is a common prefix for adjectives, 'inhumane' uses the Latin-derived 'in-' prefix.

## Usage notes

- Often used predicatively after 'be' or 'seem', or attributively before nouns like 'conditions', 'treatment', or 'punishment'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.