as in brute
having or showing the nature and appetites of a lower animal
years of grinding poverty that had reduced them to a subhuman existence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of subhuman
The individuals and groups committing these acts are subhuman.
—
Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 24 Feb. 2025
Yet today’s LLMs are distinctly subhuman in their ability to absorb and understand large quantities of information.
—Ars Technica, 20 Dec. 2024
Cinematographers Alejandro Chávez and Trevor Roach shoot the underworld where the victims work and live with limited light sources creating a drab, oppressive environment that highlight the subhuman conditions they are subjected to.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 30 Aug. 2024
Others, including Gali, say the term took on a darker tone that denigrates Native women, relegating them to a subhuman stature.
—Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2024
See All Example Sentences for subhuman
Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 24 Feb. 2025
Yet today’s LLMs are distinctly subhuman in their ability to absorb and understand large quantities of information.
—Ars Technica, 20 Dec. 2024
Cinematographers Alejandro Chávez and Trevor Roach shoot the underworld where the victims work and live with limited light sources creating a drab, oppressive environment that highlight the subhuman conditions they are subjected to.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 30 Aug. 2024
Others, including Gali, say the term took on a darker tone that denigrates Native women, relegating them to a subhuman stature.
—Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2024
See All Example Sentences for subhuman
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subhuman
Adjective
-
This is an economy that runs on the assumption of potential—on the idea that tech founders will, through brute force, innovate their way into market domination and produce limitless riches.—
Theo Baker,
The Atlantic,
24 Apr. 2026
-
That asymmetry suggests sophisticated and adaptable behavior, not just brute strength.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Derrick White, who endured his third straight brutal shooting game (3-for-12; 1-for-8 from three), set up Tatum’s dagger with one of his two fourth-quarter offensive rebounds.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The right-hander, who signed a two-year, $22 million deal with a club option for 2028 in the offseason, has had a brutal start to his tenure with San Francisco (11-15).—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
As Columbia, Rodriguez takes big, bold swings, shifting from manic exuberance to bruised vulnerability to feral anger over the course of the night.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The ordinance would create a city-run TNR program under which feral cats can be humanely trapped and surgically sterilized, then vaccinated and ear-tagged before being released back into the community.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Where Gilgamesh is civilized, Enkidu is bestial, tamed only by the temple courtesan Shamhat via six days and seven nights of lovemaking.—
R. Daniel Foster,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2026
-
What do digital animals, these bestial avatars, make possible?—
Cynthia Chris,
The Conversation,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subhuman.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subhuman. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
