Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
sterilized

sterilized

5.5
Made unable to have babies or young by an operation
  • adjective
  • /ˈstɛrɪlaɪzd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : esterilizado
  • After the operation, the cat was sterilized and could no longer have kittens.

Examples

  • The dog was sterilized to prevent unwanted puppies.

  • The doctor explained that once someone is sterilized, the procedure is usually permanent.

  • Many countries encourage owners to have their pets sterilized to help control the animal population.

  • After the procedure, she felt relieved to be sterilized.

  • Many countries encourage pet owners to have their animals sterilized to reduce overpopulation.

  • After the procedure, the veterinarian confirmed that the dog was sterilized and could not have puppies.

  • She knew that being sterilized would help her focus on her career without the worry of becoming a parent.

Synonyms

sterile
vssterilized
19 5.3

Unable to have babies or make seeds

is caused specifically by a medical or surgical procedure
unfertile
vssterilized
  • Archaic
6.4

Unable to have babies or make seeds

is the result of a medical or surgical action
castrated
vssterilized
  • NSFW
9.1

Having the sex organs removed so you cannot have children

focuses on stopping reproduction without necessarily altering sexual features
neutered
vssterilized
4.4

An animal with the body parts that make babies removed so it cannot have young

can also be used for people as well as animals
spayed
vssterilized
  • Specialized
4.4

A female animal that cannot have puppies or kittens because of surgery

is not limited to females and can describe both sexes and people

Antonyms

fertile
24 2.8

A living thing that can have many young or seeds

How Fertile

fertile
24 2.8
infertile
19 5.2
sterilized
  • Specialized
5.5

Surface Forms

sterilized positive
sterilised positive

Morphology

sterilized = sterilize (transparent) = sterile + ize + ed

Formed regularly from the verb 'sterilize' with the past-participle/adjectival suffix '-ed', preserving the expected meaning 'made sterile'.

Etymology

Sterilized comes from the common word sterile, which originally meant 'barren' or 'unable to produce'. So when someone or an animal is sterilized, they are made unable to have babies.