inhumain

inhuman, brutal

adjective en-ew-MEN Rare

Origin: Latin 'inhumanus'

Usage Note

Inhumain most commonly describes conditions or acts that are shockingly cruel or degrading — des conditions inhumaines is a fixed journalistic phrase. The feminine form is inhumaine. Its antonym humain can mean both 'human' and 'humane', so context determines which sense of inhumain is intended.

Examples

"Les conditions de travail dans cette usine étaient inhumaines."

Natural Translation

The working conditions in that factory were inhuman.

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