Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense neutralizes, present participle neutralizing, past tense, past participle neutralizedregional note: in BRIT, also use neutralise
1. verb
To neutralize something means to prevent it from having any effect or from working properly.
The U.S. is trying to neutralize the resolution in the U.N. Security Council. [VERB noun]
The intruder smashed a window to get in and then neutralized the alarm system. [VERB noun]
neutralization (njuːtrəlaɪzeɪʃən, US nuːt-)uncountable noun
...the sale or neutralization of the suspected nuclear site. [+ of]
2. verb
When a chemical substance neutralizes an acid, it makes it less acid.
Antacids relieve pain by neutralizing acid in the stomach. [VERB noun]
More Synonyms of neutralize
neutralize in British English
or neutralise (ˈnjuːtrəˌlaɪz)
verb(mainly tr)
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
Derived forms
neutralization (ˌneutraliˈzation) or neutralisation (ˌneutraliˈsation)
noun
neutralizer (ˈneutralˌizer) or neutraliser (ˈneutralˌiser)
noun
neutralize in American English
(ˈnutrəˌlaɪz; ˈnjutrəˌlaɪz)
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈneutralˌized or ˈneutralˌizing
1.
to declare (a territory, nation, etc.) neutral in war; declare open to all nations under international law and exempt from attack
2.
to make ineffective; destroy or counteract the effectiveness, force, disposition, etc. of
3. Chemistry
to destroy the distinctive or active properties of
an alkali neutralizes an acid
4. Electricity
to make electrically neutral
Derived forms
neutralization (ˌneutraliˈzation)
noun
neutralizer (ˈneutralˌizer)
noun
Word origin
Fr neutraliser
Examples of 'neutralize' in a sentence
neutralize
Three separate elements neutralized advantages held by the larger power over its adversary.
Divine, Robert A. (editor) & Breen, T. H & Frederickson, George M & Williams, R. Hal America Past and Present (1995)
Antacids are alkaline and their action relieves pain by neutralizing acid in the contents of the stomach.
Martlew, Gillian & Silver, Shelley (ed) The Medicine Chest - your family's guide to prescription drugs (1988)
The smoke gathers particles of harmful radiation in the atmosphere and neutralizes their effect at a subtle level.
Thompkins, Peter, Bird, Christopher Secrets of the Soil (1990)
Reality may help to neutralize your bad feelings so you can wipe the slate clean and start again.
Sally Gunnell, Kathryn Leigh BE YOUR BEST: How Anyone can become Fit, Healthy and Confident (2002)
It is the task of organization at the same time to neutralize the individual weaknesses of its members.
Peter F. Drucker MANAGEMENT: task, responsibilities, practices (1974)
In other languages
neutralize
British English: neutralize VERB
To neutralize something means to prevent it from having any effect or from working properly.
They are trying to neutralize the resolution in the UN Security Council.
American English: neutralize
Brazilian Portuguese: neutralizar
Chinese: 使无效
European Spanish: neutralizar
French: neutraliser
German: neutralisieren
Italian: neutralizzare
Japanese: 無効にする
Korean: 무력하게 하다
European Portuguese: neutralizar
Latin American Spanish: neutralizar
(verb)
Definition
to make ineffective by counteracting
antibodies that neutralize the toxic effects of soluble antigens
Synonyms
counteract
pills to counteract high blood pressure
cancel
offset
The increase in pay costs was more than offset by higher productivity.
undo
It would be difficult to undo the damage that had been done.
compensate for
negate
These environmental protection laws could be negated if the EU decides they interfere with trade.
invalidate
An official decree invalidated the vote.
counterbalance
Add honey to counterbalance the acidity of the sauce.
nullify
This, of course, would nullify the effect of the move.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of counterbalance
Definition
to act as a counterbalance to
Add honey to counterbalance the acidity of the sauce.
Synonyms
offset,
balance out,
compensate for,
make up for,
counterpoise,
countervail,
set off
in the sense of invalidate
Definition
to take away the legal force of (a contract)
An official decree invalidated the vote.
Synonyms
nullify,
cancel,
annul,
undermine,
weaken,
overthrow,
undo,
quash,
overrule,
rescind,
abrogate,
render null and void
in the sense of negate
Definition
to cause to have no value or effect
These environmental protection laws could be negated if the EU decides they interfere with trade.
Synonyms
invalidate,
reverse,
cancel,
wipe out,
void,
repeal,
revoke,
retract,
rescind,
neutralize,
annul,
nullify,
obviate,
abrogate,
countermand
Synonyms of 'neutralize'
neutralize
Explore 'neutralize' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of nullify
Definition
to make (something) ineffective
This, of course, would nullify the effect of the move.
Synonyms
cancel out,
counteract,
negate,
neutralize,
obviate (formal),
countervail,
bring to naught,
veto,
rebut
in the sense of offset
Definition
to cancel out or compensate for
The increase in pay costs was more than offset by higher productivity.
Synonyms
cancel out,
balance,
set off,
make up for,
compensate for,
redeem,
counteract,
neutralize,
counterbalance,
nullify,
obviate,
balance out,
counterpoise,
countervail
in the sense of undo
Definition
to reverse the effects of
It would be difficult to undo the damage that had been done.