inhuman

Inhuman is an adjective used to describe something not human in nature, or something that seems nonhuman in quality. It can denote a lack of human attributes such as empathy or compassion, or it can refer to beings that are not human. The term is often used in ethical and literary contexts to contrast humane behavior with actions considered cruel or brutal.

Etymology and usage notes: The word derives from Middle English in- + human, ultimately from Latin inhumanus meaning not human. It has developed a figurative shade meaning extremely cruel or unfeeling, and it is frequently employed in discussions of morality, behavior, and character.

Legal and ethical usage: In everyday language, "inhuman" can describe acts of extreme cruelty, conditions deemed harsh, or treatment perceived as lacking humanity. In international law and human rights discourse, phrases such as "inhuman treatment" or "cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment" appear in treaties, conventions, and case law to condemn severe abuse. The term is used as a legal standard distinct from "degrading" and from "humane" treatment.

Fiction and popular culture: The term also functions to categorize nonhuman beings or beings with nonstandard biology. In Marvel Comics, the Inhumans are a race of superpowered individuals created through Terrigenesis; they have appeared in comic storylines and a television series. The concept of inhumanity also appears in fantasy and science fiction to describe monsters, aliens, or artificially enhanced humans.

See also: inhumanity, humane, nonhuman, cruel and unusual.