inhuman

inhuman, inhumane

The difference in meaning between these two words corresponds to that between human and humane (see human, humane). Inhuman means ‘lacking the qualities proper to human behaviour; cruel, brutal’, whereas inhumane denotes a lack of feeling or compassion as it affects treatment of other people. Both words can be used of people, actions, or attitudes. Examples: (inhuman)

• An Ankara MP…who called for an inquiry in parliament yesterday, described the incident as ‘inhuman torture’ —Guardian, 1989

• Claudia could see that locking up a Masai for a crime he did not understand was cruel and inhuman —J. Cartwright, 1993

• (inhumane) They have, after all, been traditionally concerned with restricting the use of weapons which are considered indiscriminate or inhumane —J. Dewar et al., 1986

• He was by no means an inhumane individual; he was a loving father, he was faithful to his wife for many years and to his mistress until death —E. Acton, 1992

• He must reverse judges' rulings that 24-hour control orders are inhumane —Sun, 2007.