Meaning & use
neutered
Last updated
“neutered” is a form of “neuter”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
adjectivenot comparable
Having had the sex organs removed, especially an animal, so that it cannot reproduce.
Grammar: Describes a state after an operation; it is not used with more or most.
Patterns
- be neutered
- get neutered
- a neutered cat
All the cats we adopted from the shelter were already neutered.
The vet said our dog should be neutered before he turns one.
Neutered males often live longer than unneutered ones.
verbtransitive
Past tense and past participle of neuter: to remove the sex organs of an animal.
Grammar: The verb neuter takes an object: a vet neuters an animal.
Patterns
- neuter an animal
- have an animal neutered
They neutered the stray cats in the neighborhood last spring.
She had her rabbit neutered to prevent health problems.
adjectivenot comparablefigurative
Made weaker or less effective; deprived of power or force.
Grammar: Used mostly in writing about politics, language, or ideas.
Patterns
- a neutered policy
- be neutered by something
The new law was neutered by amendments before it passed.
Critics say the committee has been neutered and can no longer act.
Word forms
| third person singular | neuters |
|---|---|
| past tense | neutered |
| past participle | neutered |
| -ing form | neutering |
Common combinations
- get neutered
- Male cats often get neutered at around six months.
- have something neutered
- We had our puppy neutered at the local clinic.
- neutered male
- A neutered male dog may be calmer.
- be neutered by something
- The proposal was neutered by the opposition.
Synonyms and how they differ
- castrated
- Used mainly for male animals or people; neutered is broader and can refer to either sex.
- spayed
- Used only for female animals; neutered can describe males or females.
- sterilized
- A more general medical term that can apply to people as well as animals.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: neutered or neutral?
neutered vs neutral
Neutral means not supporting either side; neutered means having had sex organs removed or being made powerless.
Practice
The animal shelter recommends that all adopted cats be ___ before they go to new homes.
Choose one answer.
The passive structure 'be neutered' is needed here, meaning the cats should have the operation. 'Neutral' is a different word meaning impartial, and 'neuter' as a base form does not fit after 'be'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “neutered”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.