neutralize

American  

[noo-truh-lahyz, nyoo-] / ˈnu trəˌlaɪz, ˈnyu- /

especially British, neutralise

verb (used with object)

neutralized, neutralizing

1. to make neutral; cause to undergo neutralization.

2. to make (something) ineffective; counteract; nullify.

   carelessness that neutralized our efforts.

3. Military. to put out of action or make incapable of action.

   to neutralize an enemy position.

4. to declare neutral; invest with neutrality in order to exempt from involvement during a war.

   to neutralize a city to prevent bombing.

5. to add an acid to a basic solution or a base to an acidic solution until the resulting solution is chemically neutral (pH = 7).

6. Electricity. to render electrically or magnetically neutral.

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verb (used without object)

neutralized, neutralizing

1. to become neutral or neutralized; undergo neutralization.

   With this additive the solution begins to neutralize.

neutralize British  

/ ˈnjuːtrəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. (also intr) to render or become ineffective or neutral by counteracting, mixing, etc; nullify

2. (also intr) to make or become electrically or chemically neutral

3. to exclude (a country) from the sphere of warfare or alliances by international agreement

   the great powers neutralized Belgium in the 19th century

4. to render (an army) incapable of further military action

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neutralize Scientific  

/ no̅o̅′trə-līz′ /

1. To cause an acidic solution to become neutral by adding a base to it or to cause a basic solution to become neutral by adding an acid to it. Salt and water are usually formed in the process.

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Other Word Forms

• neutralization
  noun
• neutralizer
  noun
• overneutralize
  verb (used with object)
• overneutralizer
  noun
• reneutralize
  verb
• unneutralize
  verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of neutralize

First recorded in 1655–65; neutral + -ize

Explanation

When you neutralize something, you make it harmless or ineffective — usually by applying its opposite force, like pouring water on a fire. The world neutral was first used to describe a country that doesn’t take sides in a war, like Switzerland. There’s something kind of noble about a country that doesn’t participate in war by choice, but when we say something has been neutralized — that usually means that its power has been taken away from the outside.

Example Sentences

Neutralize it so someone else can imagine living there.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 24, 2023

Neutralize negativity as you unwrap an Amazon gift card from your spouse.

From Washington Times • Dec. 23, 2019

Neutralize your language by being conscious of what words and phrases you use that "age" you.

From New York Times • Aug. 7, 2015

Neutralize the national and focus on the local.

From Slate • Jun. 3, 2014

Neutralize the currents delivered by the magnetos of hostile planes to their spark-plugs, and you transform the most powerful engines into inert matter.

From The Flying Legion by England, George Allan

Related Words

• compensate for
• counterbalance
• negate
• nullify
• offset
• overcome
• redress
• subdue