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 Army euthanized two of the horses, Mickey and Tony, after sand and gravel had damaged their guts. —Tom Vanden Brook, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025

Many advocate for both spaying and neutering to prevent unwanted pregnancies and to minimize the number of unwanted dogs being euthanized. —Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 6 Apr. 2025

The family has verbally agreed to sign a surrender order allowing the city to euthanize the dog, per KPRC and KHOU, both of whom cited City of Baytown officials. —Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025

Moms and Mutts previously made headlines after a puppy at an August adoption event tested positive for rabies, leading to that dog and 11 others being euthanized. —Graeme Taskerud, Denver Post, 25 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Greek euthanatos

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for euthanize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• agonize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize

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