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 rescue team decided to euthanize the bird on welfare grounds. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2026

Then there was the New York Times bestselling author who cared for young animals only to have to euthanize them when the time came. — Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026

None of the goats appeared to have been bitten, but one died August 19, and another fell ill the next day and had to be euthanized. — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026

Farm Adventures confirmed that all four baby goats were euthanized to prevent further spread of the virus. — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Greek euthanatos

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for euthanize

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

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