inhumane
See also: inhuman
English
Etymology
Originally a variant spelling and pronunciation of inhuman, ultimately from Latin inhūmānus; it appears to have died out 17c. but returned c. 1822, probably a reformation as a negative of humane from in- + humane.[1]
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˌɪnhjuːˈmeɪn/
- Rhymes: -eɪn
Audio (US): (file)
Adjective
inhumane (comparative more inhumane, superlative most inhumane)
- Alternative form of inhuman: lacking pity or compassion for misery and suffering; cruel, unkind.
- 1593, anonymous author, The Life and Death of Iacke Straw […], Act I:
- Herein thou haſt done good ſeruice to thy country:
VVere all inhumaine ſlaues ſo ſerued as he,
England would be ciuill, and from all ſuch dealings free.
- 2024 November 6, David Culver, Abel Alvarado, Evelio Contreras and Rachel Clarke, “Exclusive: Locking eyes with mass murderers in El Salvador”, in CNN[1]:
- But the ruthless cleaning up of those streets and merciless treatment of gang members have triggered outrage and concern among human rights organizations, which have condemned Cecot as inhumane and unacceptable.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Derived terms
Translations
cruel and savage, not humane — see inhuman
References
- ^ Douglas Harper (2001–2025) “inhumane”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.
German
Pronunciation
Audio: (file)
Adjective
inhumane
- inflection of inhuman:
- strong/mixed nominative/accusative feminine singular
- strong nominative/accusative plural
- weak nominative all-gender singular
- weak accusative feminine/neuter singular
Latin
Adjective
inhūmāne
- vocative masculine singular of inhūmānus
References
- “inhumane”, in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
- “inhumane”, in Charlton T. Lewis (1891) An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers
- inhumane in Gaffiot, Félix (1934) Dictionnaire illustré latin-français, Hachette.