neutralize

verb

neu·​tral·​ize ˈnü-trə-ˌlīz How to pronounce neutralize (audio)
ˈnyü-
neutralized; neutralizing

transitive verb

1
: to make chemically neutral
2
a
: to counteract the activity or effect of : make ineffective
propaganda that is difficult to neutralize
b
3
: to make electrically inert by combining equal positive and negative quantities
4
: to invest (a territory, a nation, etc.) with conventional or obligatory neutrality conferring inviolability during a war
5
: to make neutral by blending with the complementary color
6
: to give (a pair of phonemes) a nondistinctive form or pronunciation
\t\ and \d\ are neutralized when pronounced as flaps
neutralizer noun

Examples of neutralize in a Sentence

The soldiers tried to neutralize the attack by dividing the invading army. This medicine neutralizes stomach acids. The lands between the warring countries were neutralized.
Recent Examples on the Web In recent weeks, the campaign and top Democratic supporters have been highlighting Mr. Trump’s lapses, part of an effort to neutralize age as an issue in a likely rematch between the two oldest presidential nominees in history. Lisa Lerer, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024 This tenderizes the leaves and helps neutralize some of the bitterness often associated with collards. Adrienne Cheatham, CNN, 3 Mar. 2024 In what felt like an attempt to neutralize the story, the prosecution brought it up first. David Browne, Rolling Stone, 26 Feb. 2024 Still, in a league where defensive strategists are known for devising schemes that neutralize top threats, there have been no easy answers lately for containing Lamb. USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024 Non-manufacturing countries with poor infrastructure for collecting, sorting, and recycling textiles will face stiff challenges in neutralizing the cost of mounting clothing and textile waste, never mind developing a valuable economy from it. Brooke Roberts-Islam, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 Meanwhile, the furnace heat largely neutralizes any other leftover oxides’ corrosiveness, including heavy metals like chromium. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 7 Feb. 2024 Streamlining federal and state permitting processes can encourage more investment, but cutting government red tape will not neutralize utility companies’ objections to interregional transmission. IEEE Spectrum, 22 Feb. 2024 Overall, the quality of the experience neutralizes the slog of 15+ hours with fine dining, great wines, comfortable seats and a great cabin crew. Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'neutralize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1744, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of neutralize was in 1744

Dictionary Entries Near neutralize

Cite this Entry

“Neutralize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/neutralize. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

neutralize

verb
neu·​tral·​ize ˈn(y)ü-trə-ˌlīz How to pronounce neutralize (audio)
neutralized; neutralizing
1
: to make chemically neutral
neutralize an acid with a base
2
: to make ineffective : nullify
neutralize an opponent's move
3
: to make electrically neutral by combining equal positive and negative quantities
4
: to make politically neutral
neutralize a country
neutralization
ˌn(y)ü-trə-lə-ˈzā-shən
noun
neutralizer
ˈn(y)ü-trə-ˌlī-zər
noun

Medical Definition

neutralize

verb
neu·​tral·​ize
variants also British neutralise
neutralized also British neutralised; neutralizing also British neutralising

transitive verb

1
: to make chemically neutral
2
a
: to counteract the activity or effect of : make ineffective
b
: to counteract the refractive power of (a lens) by combining it with one or more other lenses
3
: to make electrically inert by combining equal positive and negative quantities
neutralizer noun
also British neutraliser

More from Merriam-Webster on neutralize

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