neutralize

1 of 2

verb

neu·​tral·​ize ˈnü-trə-ˌlīz 

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

: kill, destroy

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

intransitive verb

: to undergo neutralization

neutralizer noun

neutralizer

2 of 2

noun

neu·​tral·​iz·​er

variants also British neutraliser

-zə(r)

plural -s

: one that neutralizes: such as

a

: any of various devices that neutralize or eliminate some unwanted or side effect (as static from radio, excess acidity from a solution)

b

: a worker who neutralizes something (as a product of acid hydrolysis by suitable treatment with a base) as his regular work

c

: a worker who cleans metal objects in an acid bath

d

: a chemical solution used to terminate the action of a permanent waving solution

e

: clocker entry 1 sense 3

Synonyms of neutralize

Verb

• offset
• correct

Examples of neutralize in a Sentence

Verb

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

Verb

Air defense forces and electronic warfare units shot down and neutralized 187 drones over the Moscow region, according to its governor, Andrey Vorobiev. — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026

Kash says they are packed with antioxidants such as polyphenols and flavonoids to neutralize free radicals that cause stress and inflammation and help with boosting your immune system overall. — Marie Bladt, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2026

When moving in an inert, neutralizing background, a gas of electrons tend to crystallize at low densities as their potential energy is more dominant than their kinetic energy. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 11 Aug. 2026

Giants manager Dusty Baker brought in reliever Felix Rodriguez to retire Spiezio and neutralize the Angels’ threat. — Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1744, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for neutralize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids 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

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

ˈn(y)ü-trə-ˌlīz 

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

intransitive verb

: to undergo neutralization

neutralizer noun

also British neutraliser