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

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

The number of bears killed by motor vehicle strikes, euthanized as nuisances because of conflicts with humans or poached in the Central Florida region over the past decade total about 1,900. — Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026

Four baby goats from a North Carolina mobile petting zoo tested positive for rabies and were euthanized. — Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 30 Aug. 2026

Marineland shut its doors in 2024, kicking off a race to find new homes for its 30 beluga whales and four dolphins before they would be euthanized. — Cybele Mayes-Osterman, ABC News, 27 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