unmenschlicher

Unmenschlicher is the comparative form of the German adjective unmenschlich, meaning inhuman or cruel. It describes behavior, conditions, or beings judged to lack basic humanity or humane regard, and it is used to express that something is more inhuman than another thing. The form can modify a noun in attributive position (with appropriate article and declension) or appear in predicative position: for example, ein unmenschlicher Zustand (an inhumane condition) or Der Zustand ist unmenschlicher geworden (The condition has become more inhumane). In comparisons, it commonly appears with the phrase unmenschlicher als to indicate that one item is more inhumane than another.

Etymology and nuance: the word is built from the prefix un- attached to menschlich (human, humane) and carries strong negative connotations. It is typically used in ethical, political, journalistic, and literary contexts to condemn actions, policies, or situations that are considered starkly lacking in humaneness or compassion.

Usage and translations: unmenschlicher translates to “more inhumane” or, in a broader sense, “inhuman” when used as an adjective. In English, unmenschlich is often rendered as “inhuman,” while unmenschlicher represents the comparative degree. The term is generally employed in critical discourse and is less common in everyday description, where milder terms might be preferred.

Related terms: unmenschlich (the base adjective), Menschlichkeit (humanity, humanness), Unmensch (a brutal or monstrous person). The word is primarily used in formal, descriptive, or evaluative writing to convey moral judgment.