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

Wildlife officers found a female bear in the area matching the description and euthanized her, as per CPW policy. — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Both beavers in those cases were caught, euthanized and tested positive for rabies. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026

The beaver was caught, euthanized and tested positive for rabies. — Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026

This beaver was subsequently euthanized and tested positive for rabies. — Perri Ormont Blumberg, FOXNews.com, 17 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