subhuman

adjective

sub·hu·man | \ ˌsəb-ˈhyü-mən , -ˈyü-\

Definition of subhuman

(Entry 1 of 2)

: less than human: such as

a : failing to attain the level (as of morality or intelligence) associated with normal human beings

b : unsuitable to or unfit for human beings subhuman living conditions

c : of or relating to a taxonomic group lower than that of humans the subhuman primates

subhuman

noun

Definition of subhuman (Entry 2 of 2)

: a subhuman being

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Examples of subhuman in a Sentence

Adjective

The prisoners suffered subhuman treatment. years of grinding poverty that had reduced them to a subhuman existence

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

In the Trumpian universe, immigrants pose a superhuman threat but are themselves of subhuman significance. — Masha Gessen, The New Yorker, "Donald Trump’s “Inoffensive” War on Reality," 5 July 2019 The widespread belief that Africans were not fully human, but rather subhuman, propped up the Confederacy’s defense of itself. — Sarah Jones, The New Republic, "Why Tyrants Dehumanize the Powerless," 20 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'subhuman.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.