neutralize

especially British, neu·tral·ise

[noo-truh-lahyz, nyoo-]

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.

verb (used without object)

neutralized, neutralizing 

1. to become neutral or neutralized; undergo neutralization.

   With this additive the solution begins to neutralize.

neutralize

/ 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

neutralize

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.

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of neutralize¹

First recorded in 1655–65; neutral + -ize

Example Sentences

Some feature signature scents to neutralize items’ musty odors.

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But the Trojan walk-on was totally neutralized by Oregon’s stout defensive front.

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“Where appropriate, the federal government should deploy tools that neutralize predatory pricing,” while easing access to project permits and working with allies, added Sloustcher.

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Chinese leadership is focusing on neutralizing Taiwan’s supporters, notably Tokyo, following Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Nov. 7 warning that a Chinese seizure of Taiwan would trigger Japan’s involvement in any conflict.

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“If conceived as an alternative to humans,” the pontiff said, the technology “can gravely violate their infinite dignity and neutralize their fundamental responsibilities.”

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Related Words

• compensate for www.thesaurus.com
• counterbalance 
• negate 
• nullify 
• offset 
• overcome 
• redress 
• subdue