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 bill in consideration was originally named Ryder’s Law after a 14-year-old carriage horse who collapsed in 2022 and was later euthanized due to cancer. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo staffers euthanized Amani on Wednesday because of a decline in her health, the zoo announced in a news release. — Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 8 Oct. 2026

But the efforts did not deter the pack, and last October state wildlife managers euthanized four of them, one accidentally. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026

The dogs had either died naturally or had been euthanized under the direction of their owners, with consultation from their clinical care team, to prevent further decline in their quality of life. — Julie Moreno, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 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