spay

verb

Definition of spaynext
as in to neuter

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of spay The organization plans to spay and neuter both mothers to prevent additional litters. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2026 The rescue plans to spay and neuter both mothers to prevent additional litters. — Ryan Brennan april 16, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026 State law already requires public shelters to spay or neuter all dogs before they’re adopted. — Alyce McFadden, San Francisco Chronicle, 13 Mar. 2026 And next month, Daugherty said, the department will introduce a mobile pet clinic that will spay and neuter animals in areas where strays are abundant. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spay
  1. neuter
  2. alter
Verb
  • That panel did adopt a nonpartisan elections/open primaries proposal and sent it to the City Clerk on May 27, which was the same day that Mayor Mamdani evoked a new state law meant to neuter the Adams/Mastro panel.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 6 July 2026
  • Now that the referee’s decision has been effectively neutered with few details as to why, the world is left to draw its own conclusions.
    — Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of neuter
Verb
  • Didymo blooms use up a lot of oxygen and alter the food web, according to Taylor.
    — Hannah Smith July 25, Idaho Statesman, 25 July 2026
  • The researchers could take the output of the contact probability analysis for on- and off-target sites and compare them, identifying exactly which amino acids in Cas9 have altered contacts when there’s a mismatch between the guide RNA and the DNA.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 24 July 2026
Definition of alter

Browse Nearby Words

spawns
spay
spayed
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Cite this Entry

“Spay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spay. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on spay

Nglish: Translation of spay for Spanish Speakers

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