euthanize
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
After consulting with state wildlife officials, veterinarians concluded the cub would have suffered chronic pain and mobility issues for the rest of her life, so they decided to euthanize her.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2025
Fish and Wildlife is primarily responsible for managing the hulking mammals, including making the call to move or euthanize them.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 1, 2025
There’s no magic formula for knowing when —or if — to euthanize a beloved pet, but preparation and trusting your gut can help smooth the way.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2025
These are places that receive a significant influx of animals, either by owner surrender or retrieval, and would rather have people claim them than be forced to euthanize them.
From Salon ● Dec. 6, 2024
Irwin, who was fond of the horse, refused to euthanize him.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
State officials dispute that, saying bears are euthanized only in extreme circumstances such as after they’ve hurt someone or committed repeated break-ins.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
Wildlife officials caught and euthanized two alligators in the area, which measured 12 feet and 13 feet.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 6, 2026
The writer-director’s 2022 feature debut, “Plan 75,” imagined an unsettling future in which the elderly are offered a subsidy by the government to be euthanized.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 5, 2026
Facebook members who responded to the Escondido police online post expressed relief that the mountain lion was not euthanized.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 6, 2026
In the first two months of this year, 284 dogs were euthanized at city shelters, a 39% increase compared with January and February 2025 despite a 6% decrease in dog intakes.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 17, 2026
Despite the wipeout infestations and mass euthanizing, Farm Action alleges the size of egg-laying flocks in 2025 are, on average, only about 5 percent smaller, on a month-to-month basis, than they were in 2021.
From Slate ● Apr. 18, 2025
“He got extra treats, critical care and veg today. And attention,” the vet said in an email announcing the plans for euthanizing him.
From Washington Times ● Dec. 13, 2023
They are sterilizing coyotes in the area and euthanizing coyote-wolf hybrids when they’re found.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 3, 2023
This year, it’s been euthanizing 200-plus dogs a month, according to Director Matthew Buck, just to make room for the 150 new dogs coming in every week.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 30, 2023
Even if they were euthanizing the animals, it didn’t add up.
From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers
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