euthanize
Put to sleep
To euthanize is to kill painlessly, typically to end suffering from illness or injury.
The term applies primarily to animals: We had to euthanize our cat after the cancer spread.
When applied to humans, euthanize usually refers to physician-assisted death in jurisdictions where it's legal, though some use it critically to characterize such practices.
Cause death
- exterminateDestroy completely, every one
- cullSelective removal
- dispatchSend with speed
- eliminateRemove completely
put down · destroy · slaughter · gas chamber · pound · execution · death row · genocide
Induce unconsciousness or death
- lethal injectionCapital punishment by needle
- pentobarbitalSedative used for euthanasia
- veterinarianDoctor for animals
- humaneMarked by kindness
sedation · animal shelter · animal welfare · quality of life · compassionate release · anesthesia · overdose · injection
Moral philosophy for medicine
- moralityRight and wrong principles
- autonomyIndependent decision-making capacity
- consentVoluntary agreement given
- assisted suicideHelping someone end life
slippery slope · sanctity of life · palliative care · end-of-life · dignity · legislation · debate · philosophy
Marked by kindness
- dignifiedComposed and respectable
- peacefulFree from disturbance
- painlessCausing no discomfort
- releaseTo let go
suffering · terminal · incurable · alleviate · compassion · gentle · kindness · final rest
Making something lawful
- protestPublic expression of disapproval
- activismDirect effort for reform
- court caseLegal dispute under adjudication
- referendumDirect vote on legislation
religious objection · pro-life · secular · judiciary · policy · criminal charge · prosecution · Switzerland
kill
Cause death
- exterminateDestroy completely, every one
- cullSelective removal
- dispatchSend with speed
eliminate · put down · destroy · slaughter · gas chamber · pound · execution · death row · genocide · Nazi
put to sleep
Induce unconsciousness or death
- lethal injectionCapital punishment by needle
- pentobarbitalSedative used for euthanasia
- veterinarianDoctor for animals
humane · sedation · animal shelter · animal welfare · quality of life · compassionate release · anesthesia · overdose · injection · needle
bioethics
Moral philosophy for medicine
- moralityRight and wrong principles
- autonomyIndependent decision-making capacity
- consentVoluntary agreement given
assisted suicide · slippery slope · sanctity of life · palliative care · end-of-life · dignity · legislation · debate · philosophy · human rights
humane
Marked by kindness
release · suffering · terminal · incurable · alleviate · compassion · gentle · kindness · final rest · merciful
legalization
Making something lawful
- protestPublic expression of disapproval
- activismDirect effort for reform
- court caseLegal dispute under adjudication
referendum · religious objection · pro-life · secular · judiciary · policy · criminal charge · prosecution · Switzerland · Netherlands
euthanizeresuscitate
Restore to consciousness
revive · bring back to life · save · rescue · heal
euthanizelet nature take its course
Allow events to proceed unmanipulated
let be · spare · leave alone · do nothing
euthanized, euthanizing, euthanise, euthanizes, euthanised, euthanises, euthanising