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Glite Dictionary
😔 Less than human 🚫 Unfit for people
subhuman

subhuman

1 7.3
Extremely poor living conditions that are not acceptable for people
  • adjective
  • /sʌbˈhjuːmən/
  • NSFW
translation icon : inhumano
  • In some parts of the world, many families live in subhuman conditions with limited access to clean water and food.
  • subhuman conditions
  • live in subhuman conditions

Examples

  • The factory workers endured subhuman conditions, lacking basic sanitation and safety measures.

  • But I also have compassion for the beyond-miserable conditions in prisons, and I just don't see the point in making even monsters live in subhuman conditions until they die.

    Blog text (2)

  • The Church has also expressed its opposition to "subhuman living conditions... and disgraceful working conditions," as they are an "insult to human dignity."

    Academic text (2010)

  • It is therefore a time to raise the existence of communities from a subhuman level of repression.

    Academic text (1996)

  • He spoke out against the subhuman treatment of refugees, calling for better living standards and support.

Synonyms

inhumane
vssubhuman
  • NSFW
37 5.9

Very cruel and causing pain to people or animals

describes conditions judged unfit for people to live in
inhuman
vssubhuman
30 6.0

Very cruel and not feeling pity

describes conditions judged unfit for people to live in
dehumanized
vssubhuman
  • Formal
7.2

Treated as if you have no feelings or worth

describes conditions judged unfit for people to live in

Antonyms

acceptable
477 2.5

Good enough for a particular use or standard

humane
90 3.4

Showing kindness and care to people or animals to avoid suffering

How Humane

humane
90 3.4
inhumane
  • NSFW
37 5.9
barbaric
61 6.3
subhuman
  • NSFW
1 7.3

Surface Forms

subhuman positive

Morphology

subhuman = human (transparent) = sub + human

The adjective is a straightforward prefixation of 'human' with 'sub-' meaning 'below' or 'less than', so the sense is directly derivable.

Etymology

Subhuman comes from sub- 'under' and human, so it means 'under human'. Think of sub- like in submarine or subway, meaning 'under'; this image shows why subhuman describes living or work conditions that are below what people should accept.