anti-humanitarian
|an-ti-hu-man-i-ta-ri-an|
🇺🇸
/ˌæn.tiˌhjuːˌmæn.ɪˈtɛr.i.ən/
🇬🇧
/ˌæn.tiˌhjuːˌmæn.ɪˈtɛə.ri.ən/
against human welfare
Etymology
'anti-humanitarian' originates from the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti', meaning 'against') combined with 'humanitarian' (from French 'humanitaire' and Latin 'humanus', meaning 'human').
'humanus' (Latin) > Old French 'humain'/'humanitaire' > English 'human' and 'humanitarian' (18th–19th centuries). The compound 'anti-humanitarian' was formed by prefixing 'anti-' to 'humanitarian' to indicate opposition.
Initially, the elements meant 'against' (anti-) and 'relating to human welfare' (humanitarian); combined they came to mean 'opposed to concerns for human welfare' or 'causing/indifferent to human suffering.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person, action, or policy that is opposed to humanitarian principles or that results in harm or neglect of human welfare.
Many viewed the decision as an anti-humanitarian that would worsen the refugee crisis.
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Adjective 1
opposed to or showing lack of concern for humanitarian principles; causing or indifferent to human suffering.
The regime adopted anti-humanitarian policies that prioritized control over civilian welfare.
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Last updated: 2025/11/01 05:17