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

Bruce was initially ordered to be euthanized no later than May 15, but that was temporarily delayed by a stay issued by a federal court. — Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026

Nearly 900 kittens were euthanized from January through June, up from about 600 the first six months of last year, for a 43% increase. — Hailey Wang, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026

So, when Munchkin was found with a tumor in his nose, he was euthanized almost immediately. — Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026

The giraffe is the second to be euthanized following an injury this year. — Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 6 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