neutralize

[ noo-truh-lahyz, nyoo- ]

/ ˈnu trəˌlaɪz, ˈnyu- /

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See synonyms for: neutralize / neutralized / neutralizing / neutralizer on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), neu·tral·ized, neu·tral·iz·ing.

to make neutral; cause to undergo neutralization.

to make (something) ineffective; counteract; nullify: carelessness that neutralized our efforts.

Military. to put out of action or make incapable of action: to neutralize an enemy position.

to declare neutral; invest with neutrality in order to exempt from involvement during a war: to neutralize a city to prevent bombing.

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

Electricity. to render electrically or magnetically neutral.

verb (used without object), neu·tral·ized, neu·tral·iz·ing.

to become neutral or neutralized; undergo neutralization: With this additive the solution begins to neutralize.

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Also especially British, neu·tral·ise .

Origin of neutralize

First recorded in 1655–65; neutral + -ize

OTHER WORDS FROM neutralize

neu·tral·iz·er, nouno·ver·neu·tral·ize, verb (used with object), o·ver·neu·tral·ized, o·ver·neu·tral·iz·ing.o·ver·neu·tral·iz·er, nounre·neu·tral·ize, verb, re·neu·tral·ized, re·neu·tral·iz·ing.

un·neu·tral·ize, verb (used with object), un·neu·tral·ized, un·neu·tral·iz·ing.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use neutralize in a sentence

Love of money was throughout the bane of Loftus, and went far to neutralise the good effects of his learning and eloquence.
Ireland Under the Tudors, Vol. II (of 3)|Richard Bagwell
For the effects are opposed to one another, and neutralise each other even in the same object.
Solomon Maimon: An Autobiography.|Solomon Maimon
The pope, in entrusting the publication of the bull to Eck, had committed a blunder which was destined to neutralise its effect.
History of the Reformation in the Sixteenth Century, Vol 2|J. H. Merle D'Aubign
Neutralise carefully to litmus paper by the successive additions of small quantities of normal soda solution.
The Elements of Bacteriological Technique|John William Henry Eyre

Neutralise to litmus by the addition of n/1 caustic soda solution and boil.
The Elements of Bacteriological Technique|John William Henry Eyre

British Dictionary definitions for neutralize

neutralize

neutralise

/ (ˈnjuːtrəˌlaɪz) /

verb (mainly tr)

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

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

to exclude (a country) from the sphere of warfare or alliances by international agreementthe great powers neutralized Belgium in the 19th century

to render (an army) incapable of further military action

Derived forms of neutralize

neutralization or neutralisation, nounneutralizer or neutraliser, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for neutralize

neutralize

[ nōō′trə-līz′ ]

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.

neutralize

Origin of neutralize

OTHER WORDS FROM neutralize

Words related to neutralize

How to use neutralize in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for neutralize

neutralise

Derived forms of neutralize

Scientific definitions for neutralize