inhumane
inhumane
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "inhumane" is:
ˌɪnhjuːˈmeɪn
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
in (ˌɪn)
/ɪ/: near close front unrounded vowel (like the "i" in "in")
/n/: alveolar nasal consonant (like the "n" in "pin")
hu (hjuː)
/h/: voiceless glottal fricative (a breathy sound)
/j/: palatal approximant (like the "y" in "yes")
/uː/: long close back rounded vowel (like the "oo" in "boot")
mane (meɪn)
/m/: bilabial nasal consonant (like the "m" in "man")
/eɪ/: diphthong (a sound that starts like "ay" in "say" and ends like "ee" in "feet")
/n/: alveolar nasal consonant (like the "n" in "pin")
Word Form Variations
"Inhumane" itself doesn't have any variations in form based on plurality. It functions as an adjective and describes something, and adjectives in English don't change based on whether you're referring to one thing or many things.
For example:
The prison's conditions are inhumane. (singular)
Many factory farms have been exposed for their inhumane practices. (plural)
However, there are related words you could use that might be more appropriate depending on the context:
Inhumanity (noun): This refers to the quality of being inhumane. You could say, "The company's actions showed a shocking inhumanity."
While these are the main variations, you can also use adverbs to modify "inhumane" to indicate intensity. For instance:
Incredibly inhumane
Utterly inhumane
Despicably inhumane
Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Part of Speech: Adjective
Definition 1: Lacking compassion or kindness; causing unnecessary suffering.
Synonyms: cruel, brutal, barbaric, merciless, heartless, savage
Antonyms: humane, compassionate, kind, gentle, merciful
Definition 2: Not treating someone or something with the dignity or respect they deserve.
Synonyms: degrading, demeaning, disrespectful, abusive, exploitative
Antonyms: respectful, dignified, considerate, fair
Note: "Inhumane" is not commonly used as a noun, verb, or adverb. However, here are related words for those parts of speech:
Noun: Inhumanity (the quality of being inhumane)
Verb: To brutalise (to treat someone in a cruel and inhumane way)
Adverb: Inhumanely (in a way that lacks compassion or kindness)
Examples of Use
1. Books:
"The prisoners were subjected to inhumane treatment in the concentration camps." (Elie Wiesel, Night)
2. Newspapers:
"A new report details the inhumane living conditions faced by migrant workers in the region." (The Guardian)
3. Online Publications:
"The investigation uncovered inhumane testing practices on animals in the cosmetics industry." (PETA website)
4. Entertainment Mediums:
"The villain's plan involved inhumane experiments that endangered innocent lives." (Sci-fi movie plot summary)
5. Public Discourse:
"Protesters rallied against the inhumane use of solitary confinement in prisons." (News report on a protest)
6. Social Media:
"I can't believe the inhumane comments some people are leaving on that refugee's post!" (Social media comment)
7. Academic Writing:
"The study examines the psychological effects of inhumane living conditions on refugees." (Academic journal article)
10 Famous Quotes Using the term Inhumane
While "inhumane" isn't the most common word in famous quotes, here are 10 quotes that capture its essence, using synonyms or referencing concepts of inhumanity:
"The worst sin towards our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them: that's the essence of inhumanity." (Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor)
"Man's inhumanity to man makes countless thousands mourn!" (Robert Burns, Scottish poet)
"In a world of inhumanity, war and terrorism, American citizenship is a very precious possession." (Abraham Lincoln, US President)
"I have watched men suffer the anguish of imprisonment, defy appalling human cruelty... break for a moment, then recover inhuman strength to defy their enemies once more." (Nelson Mandela, South African revolutionary)
"Perhaps the greatest horror in the universe is not annihilation but conformity." (Anne Rice, American novelist) [**Implies inhumanity through loss of individuality]
"One does not establish a civilization in order to live there." (Albert Camus, French philosopher) [**Highlights inhumanity in prioritising survival over human values]
"The opposite of love is not hate, it is indifference." (Elie Wiesel) [**Similar to quote 1, emphasises indifference as a form of inhumanity]
"The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honourable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well." (Ralph Waldo Emerson, American philosopher) [**Highlights inhumanity as the opposite of living a compassionate life]
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." (Edmund Burke, Irish philosopher) [**Implies that inaction in the face of cruelty is a form of inhumanity]
"Tyranny is always ruthless, never exhausted." (Mikhail Bulgakov, Russian novelist) [**Tyranny embodies the concept of inhumanity through oppression]
Etymology
The word "inhumane" is basically a mashup of two other words: "in" (meaning "not") and "humane" (meaning "kind and compassionate"). It's like saying "not humane" to describe something that lacks kindness or causes suffering.
The word "inhumane" first popped up in English around the late 1500s. Interestingly, it wasn't always used the way we do today. Back then, it could also mean "not human" or "inhuman" (which still exists). Over time, the meaning settled on its current definition, highlighting a lack of compassion.
Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Inhumane
Here are some phrases and idioms that use the word "inhumane" or its synonyms:
Inhumane treatment: This directly refers to actions or conditions that cause unnecessary suffering.
Inhumane conditions: This describes a living situation that lacks basic necessities or is unsafe and unhealthy.
To treat someone inhumanely: This means to act towards someone with cruelty or a lack of compassion.
Beyond the pale: This idiom signifies something shockingly cruel or unacceptable, often implying inhumanity.
Barbaric practices: This refers to customs or behaviours that are considered savage and inhumane.
Heartless act: This describes a deed done without any consideration for the suffering it causes (inhumane).
No regard for human life: This phrase emphasises a disregard for the basic value of human life, which is considered inhumane.
To be down on someone's luck: While not directly related to inhumanity, this idiom can sometimes describe situations where someone's misfortune leads to them being treated poorly, which could border on inhumane.
Posts Related to Inhumane
Source Information
Definition of inhumane from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.