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Definitions

put to sleep

VERB
bore
Synonyms
STRONGEST
annoy bother exhaust fatigue irk irritate jade tire worry
STRONG
afflict cloy discomfort drag pall pester trouble vex wear weary
WEAK
be tedious bend one's ear burn out send to sleep talk one's ear off turn one off wear out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
delight energize invigorate please refresh soothe
STRONG
make happy
WEAK
amuse charm excite interest
VERB
deaden
Synonyms
STRONGEST
desensitize impair
STRONG
abate alleviate anesthetize benumb blunt check chloroform consume cushion damp dampen depress deprive destroy devitalize dim dope drown dull etherize exhaust freeze frustrate gas hush incapacitate injure lessen mute numb paralyze quieten reduce repress retard slow smother soften stifle stun stupefy suppress tire unnerve weaken
WEAK
KO knock out lay out put out of order tone down
Antonyms
STRONG
advance aid allow assist brighten build construct encourage enlarge extend facilitate help increase indulge intensify invigorate let go magnify mobilize permit push raise refresh stimulate strengthen uplift
WEAK
animate enliven
VERB
dope
Synonyms
STRONG
adulterate anesthetize deaden debase inject load narcotize sedate sophisticate stupefy
WEAK
knock out
VERB
hypnotize
Synonyms
STRONGEST
anesthetize captivate fascinate mesmerize stupefy
STRONG
charm drug entrance induce magnetize narcotize soothe
WEAK
bring under control dull the will hold under a spell lull to sleep make drowsy make sleepy subject to suggestion
Antonyms
STRONGEST
disenchant
WEAK
excite incite inspire stimulate
VERB
put away
Synonyms
STRONGEST
knock off put down
WEAK
assassinate bury cool cut off destroy dispatch do away with do in dust off execute finish inter liquidate murder plant put out of its misery slay tomb
Antonyms
WEAK
abstain free give birth liberate refrain
VERB
tire
Synonyms
STRONGEST
annoy bore depress disgust dishearten dispirit displease drain exasperate fail fatigue irk irritate jade overwork wear worry
STRONG
bush collapse crawl debilitate deject distress droop drop enervate ennui fag faint flag fold harass nauseate overburden overstrain overtax pain pall prostrate sap sicken sink strain tax vex weaken wilt yawn
WEAK
burn out give out go stale grow weary peter out poop out wear down wear out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aid calm cheer comfort delight encourage excite make happy please refresh soothe
STRONG
assist assuage build cure energize help increase invigorate mend rise strengthen
WEAK
activate fire up

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.

There’s no set time limit on when an animal must be adopted to avoid euthanizing, said Valles, adding that behavior or illness can make them a candidate for being put to sleep.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 12, 2025

The outcome: “She was put to sleep after seven days.”

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 11, 2024

As a young veterinarian, I was called upon to put to sleep a pet I’d never met before.

From New York Times • Jun. 19, 2024

There is no public record of the number of dogs that are put to sleep in the UK.

From BBC • Nov. 23, 2023

It’s the first time we’ve acknowledged that we were both in that vet’s office when his dog was put to sleep.

From "A Mango-Shaped Space" by Wendy Mass