inhumanity

noun

in·​hu·​man·​i·​ty ˌin-(ˌ)hyü-ˈma-nə-tē How to pronounce inhumanity (audio)
-(ˌ)yü-
plural inhumanities
1
a
: the quality or state of being cruel or barbarous
b
: a cruel or barbarous act
2
: absence of warmth or geniality : impersonality

Examples of inhumanity in a Sentence

man's inhumanity to man has been a recurring theme in human history
Recent Examples on the Web Accepting the award, writer and director Jonathan Glazer references both the October attack on Israel and Israel’s retaliation in an effort to remind us that the inhumanity that fueled the Holocaust still endangers it all. Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2024 The end of the occupation and the restoration and guarantee of human rights for all will free Palestinians from their traumatic intergenerational bondage, inhumanity and oppression. Doris Bittar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2024 Fincher’s The Killer and Ridley Scott’s Napoleon either ignore or parody passion, and this inhumanity threatens to turn movies and cultural history into alien territory. Armond White, National Review, 1 Dec. 2023 Of course, Bass — a journalist, Princeton professor, and scholar of genocide and war crimes — is not the first to call out the peculiar inhumanity with which Japan conducted the war. Michael Washburn, National Review, 31 Dec. 2023 Reminders of its inhumanity, however, are also almost constant. Drew Harwell, Washington Post, 19 Dec. 2023 Watching and reading about the carnage and wholesale inhumanity must be turned into action. Joe Snell, Washington Post, 19 Oct. 2023 The Killer is calculated for quiet barbarism threatening to normalize inhumanity. Armond White, National Review, 17 Nov. 2023 With Israel consolidating its hold on northern Gaza, its forces are closing in on a sprawling medical center that for Israelis and Palestinians alike has emerged as a symbol of the other side’s inhumanity. Vivian Yee, New York Times, 12 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inhumanity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of inhumanity was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near inhumanity

Cite this Entry

“Inhumanity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inhumanity. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

inhumanity

noun
in·​hu·​man·​i·​ty ˌin-(ˌ)hyü-ˈman-ət-ē How to pronounce inhumanity (audio)
-(ˌ)yü-
plural inhumanities
: a cruel or barbarous act or attitude

More from Merriam-Webster on inhumanity

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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