subhuman

From sub- + human.

• IPA^(key): [sʌbˈhjuːmən]

• Audio (Mid-Atlantic US):

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subhuman (comparative more subhuman, superlative most subhuman)

1. Less than human.
   1. (often offensive) As asserted of humans.

      Synonym: infrahuman

      Antonyms: superhuman, suprahuman, ultrahuman

      Coordinate term: transhuman

      A secret to Nazi power was that anyone from the ingroup could be turned upon and labeled as subhuman scum when some alleged Jewish ancestry was suddenly "discovered".

   2. As asserted of animals.

      Synonym: infrahuman

      We say dolphin intelligence is subhuman; I suspect dolphins say our intelligence is subdolphin.

      In the belief system of his day, chimpanzees were described as subhuman and asserted to be incapable of feeling pain.

subhuman (plural subhumans)

1. (sometimes offensive) Any sentient creature that is subhuman.

   Synonym: untermensch

   Antonyms: superhuman, übermensch

   Hypernym: humanoid

   Near-synonym: nonperson