neutralize
verb
neu·tral·ize
ˈnü-trə-ˌlīz 
ˈnyü-
neutralized; neutralizing
1
: to make chemically neutral
2
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
: to undergo neutralization
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
Health officials warn that cooking, boiling, freezing or drying wild mushrooms does not neutralize toxins.
—
Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 16 May 2026
The Dodgers’ Emmet Sheehan recorded a quality start, allowing two runs over six innings, and relievers Edgardo Henriquez, Alex Vesia and Tanner Scott contributed one scoreless inning apiece to neutralize the Giants’ (18-26) offense.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 15 May 2026
Where a more capable but costly leader UUV searches the sea space for detection, classification, and identification of mines, which are subsequently neutralized by a expendable follower.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 14 May 2026
House Bill 1430 would rework some state funding and cut the gasoline tax to neutralize Initiative 175’s effect on the state budget, supporters of the bill said.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for neutralize
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Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 16 May 2026
The Dodgers’ Emmet Sheehan recorded a quality start, allowing two runs over six innings, and relievers Edgardo Henriquez, Alex Vesia and Tanner Scott contributed one scoreless inning apiece to neutralize the Giants’ (18-26) offense.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 15 May 2026
Where a more capable but costly leader UUV searches the sea space for detection, classification, and identification of mines, which are subsequently neutralized by a expendable follower.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 14 May 2026
House Bill 1430 would rework some state funding and cut the gasoline tax to neutralize Initiative 175’s effect on the state budget, supporters of the bill said.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for neutralize
Cite this Entry
“Neutralize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/neutralize. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
neutralize
verb
neu·tral·ize
ˈn(y)ü-trə-ˌlīz
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
noun
ˌn(y)ü-trə-lə-ˈzā-shən
neutralizer
noun
ˈn(y)ü-trə-ˌlī-zər
Medical Definition
neutralize
verb
neu·tral·ize
variants
also British neutralise
neutralized also British neutralised; neutralizing also British neutralising
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
: to undergo neutralization
neutralizer
noun
also British neutraliser
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