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

The solution euthanized the fish trapped inside within about two minutes. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025

Nitro the male Great Dane mix first arrived at The Healthy Hearts and Paws Project in Warren, Ohio — about 50 miles outside Cleveland — in 2018, after shelter founder Jason Cooke found him as a puppy about to be euthanized in a county kennel, according to local outlet WOIO. —Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025

Officials later euthanized the bear, Stephens said. —Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025

In what seems like downbeat overkill, his sweet old dog’s cancer has spread, forcing him to have the animal euthanized. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 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