Antihuman

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Opposed to or hostile toward humanity or human interests, values, and welfare
2. Adverse to the well-being of humanity and dismissive of human rights and values, this term describes actions or beliefs that contravene ethical standards for individuals and society
3. Showing hostility or opposition to the well-being and values of human beings

Etymology: "Antihuman" is about as transparent as English compounds get: the prefix "anti-", from Greek "anti" meaning "against" or "opposite," joined to "human," which comes through Old French from Latin "humanus." Put together, the word means against humanity or human interests, a sense that is easy to read straight off its parts. The prefix does most of the work here. "Anti-" has been productive in English for centuries, and speakers have attached it to almost any noun or adjective that needs a hostile or opposing counterpart, so "antihuman" follows a well-worn pattern rather than marking a moment of invention. The combination is a straightforward formation, with the opposition built directly into the prefix.