euthanize

American  

[yoo-thuh-nahyz] / ˈyu θəˌnaɪz /

especially British, euthanatize especially british, euthanise

verb (used with object)

euthanized, euthanizing

1. to subject to euthanasia.

   to euthanize injured animals.

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euthanize British  

/ ˈjuːθəˌnaɪz, ˈjuːθəˌneɪz /

verb

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

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Usage

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.

Etymology

Origin of euthanize

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

Example Sentences

Often, volunteers and animal rescuers post social media pleas like the ones Wright responded to, in a race against time to save dogs from potentially being euthanized to make space in the overcrowded shelters.

From Los Angeles Times

Early Tuesday evening, members of two local Native American tribes were digging three deep holes for the horses that the Forest Service had euthanized.

From Los Angeles Times

“My contact said the normal protocol would have been to euthanize the coyote on arrival. I think this is a good sign.”

From Literature

Two big cats potentially involved in the suspected New Year's Day mauling were euthanized, state wildlife officials said.

From Barron's

He said it’s key for the agency to act quickly to move or euthanize a lion that’s feeding on sheep, to prevent it from harming more.

From Los Angeles Times