euthanize

[ yoo-thuh-nahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, eu·tha·nized, eu·tha·niz·ing.

1. to subject to euthanasia:

   to euthanize injured animals.

euthanize

/ ˈjuːθəˌneɪz; ˈjuːθəˌnaɪz /

verb

1. tr to kill (a person or animal) painlessly, esp to relieve suffering from an incurable illness

Word History and Origins

Origin of euthanize¹

First recorded in 1960–65; euthan(asia) + -ize

Word History and Origins

Origin of euthanize¹

C20: back formation from euthanasia

Example Sentences

When Sunny was euthanized in my backyard two days earlier, I knew that adjusting to life without her would be hard.

From Outside Online

The Staffordshire terrier and boxer mix had to be euthanized four days later.

From Washington Post

The pet suffered critical injuries and was later euthanized.

From Washington Post

It was time, we thought, and made the heart-wrenching decision to euthanize her.

From Washington Post

Owners might blame themselves for not realizing sooner that their pet was sick, she added, or for knowing they were sick but waiting too long to euthanize.

From Washington Post

The three-drug formula, Alper writes, is “less reliable, and therefore less humane, than the method used to euthanize animals.”

From The Daily Beast

About This Word

What does euthanize mean?

Euthanize means to painlessly put a person or animal to death.

The decision to euthanize a person is usually made because they have a painful, incurable disease or condition which will cause them to die slowly and in great pain. Where it is legal, the dying person must consent to being euthanized and only a doctor or other permitted person is legally able to end that person’s life.

With animals, the decision is usually left to the animal’s owner, with a veterinarian or other qualified person actually ending the animal’s life. Animals are also usually euthanized because they are in great pain that cannot be relieved any other way.

Euthanize is also written as euthanatize. In British English, the spellings euthanise and euthanatise are also used.

Example: A veterinarian sometimes has to euthanize an animal when they will otherwise suffer a painful death.

Where does euthanize come from?

The first records of euthanize comes from around 1960. It comes from the noun euthanasia, which means “the act of putting to death painlessly or allowing to die, as by withholding extreme medical measures.” Euthanasia comes from the Greek euthanasía, meaning “an easy death.”

Euthanizing humans is a fiercely debated topic and is only legal in certain places around the world. In the United States, doctors are not legally allowed to euthanize patients anywhere. However, some states do permit a doctor to participate in an assisted suicide, in which the patient administers the drug that causes a painless death.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to euthanize?

• euthanatize (alternate form)
• euthanise (alternate spelling)
• euthanitise (alternate form)

What are some words that often get used in discussing euthanize?

• humane
• pets
• dog
• cat
• painless

How is euthanize used in real life?

Euthanize is almost always used to refer to animals. Euthanasia of humans is a very controversial topic.

I have to euthanize my cat.
😭😿

— ☠️Metal Godz☠️ (@godz_metal) August 7, 2020

Today, we are remembering okapi, Karatasi. The decision to humanely euthanize him was made on March 21, as his health declined. At 29 years old, Karatasi exceeded the median life expectancy (16.3 years) of okapis in human care by over a decade. Read more: https://t.co/N0zUc4k4YG. pic.twitter.com/h9kVWFwYEm

— Columbus Zoo (@ColumbusZoo) March 24, 2021

Hamilton Zoo have confirmed they will not euthanize the Sumatran tiger that attacked and killed a zookeeper yesterday.

— 95bFM News (@95bFMNews) September 21, 2015