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

Example Sentences

“The Kingdom stresses that any threat to its national security is a red line, and the Kingdom will not hesitate to take all necessary steps and measures to confront and neutralize any such threat.”

From The Wall Street Journal

World War II was similar, with air forces and antiaircraft weapons neutralizing each other.

From The Wall Street Journal

This would neutralize the board’s argument about Paramount’s “illusory” financing.

From MarketWatch

He effectively neutralized the Chargers’ defense in the first half, with touchdown passes in the first and second quarters.

From Los Angeles Times

Starting this year, there’s a $1,000 above-the-line deduction for charitable giving, but in 2026, wealthy people will have their itemized deductions capped, which will neutralize the tax benefit of large gifts.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

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