euthanize

verb

eu·​tha·​nize ˈyü-thə-ˌnīz 

variants or less commonly euthanatize

yü-ˈtha-nə-ˌtīz 

euthanized also euthanatized; euthanizing also euthanatizing

transitive verb

: to subject to euthanasia

Examples of euthanize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Bear traps have been set at the scene with a goal of euthanizing the bear and analyzing its condition. —Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 13 July 2025

Longo and Peanut's fans, and even then-vice presidential candidate JD Vance, decried the raid and the decision to euthanize the animals. —Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 12 July 2025

Most experts pointed to the H5N1 bird flu epidemic as the cause of the spike, as millions of egg-laying chickens across the nation were euthanized to prevent the spread. —Susanne Rust follow, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025

Michelle originally rescued Scrim from a kill shelter in November, 2023, shortly before he was set to be euthanized. —David W. Brown, New Yorker, 5 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Greek euthanatos

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for euthanize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• agonize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize

Medical Definition

euthanize

transitive verb

eu·​tha·​nize

ˈyü-thə-ˌnīz

variants also euthanatize

yu̇-ˈthan-ə-ˌtīz

euthanized also euthanatized; euthanizing also euthanatizing

: to subject to euthanasia

the dog was euthanized at the owner's request