euthanise

Put to sleep

To euthanise is to kill painlessly, typically to end suffering from terminal illness or severe injury.

The word applies most often to animals: We had to euthanise the dog after the cancer spread.

For humans, euthanise appears in debates about assisted dying and end-of-life care.

Also spelled euthanize.

compassion

humane

Marked by kindness

dignityInnate personal worth
mercyCompassion toward offenders
peacefulFree from disturbance

suffering · alleviate · empathy · gentle · comfort · care · kindness · solace · serenity · tenderness

palliative

hospice

Terminal illness comfort program

end-of-lifeNearing death phase
terminalAt the endpoint
incurableCannot be healed

suffering · pain · sedation · morphine · caregiving · dying · deathbed · irreversible · prognosis · hopeless

ethics

consent

Voluntary agreement given

voluntaryDone by choice
involuntaryNot under conscious control
assistedGave support to

legal · illegal · controversial · debate · autonomy · legislation · Netherlands · physician-assisted · bioethics · sanctity

termination

death

Cessation of life

endFinal portion or cessation
cessationA full stopping
finalityState of conclusive completion

demise · terminate · lethal · injection · overdose · discontinue · halt · conclude · expire · extinguish

release

liberation

Release from constraint

deliveranceRescue from bondage
reliefEasing of distress
freedomAbsence of constraint

unburden · escape · rest · peace · merciful · spare · salvation · put-down

Opposites

ending versus preserving life

euthaniseresuscitate

Restore to consciousness

revive · save · heal · cure · rescue

intervention versus natural process

euthaniselet nature take its course

Allow events to proceed unmanipulated

natural death · let be

Family

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Timeless · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG-13