neutral

adjective

Definition of neutralnext
1
as in independent
not favoring or joined to either side in a quarrel, contest, or war Sweden remained neutral during World War II, refusing to join either side in the conflict

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in boring
lacking in distinctive features or qualities the hero is the novel's only fully fleshed person, all the others being rather neutral characters who are just there to advance the plot

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of neutral Friday’s crowd created an atmosphere that at times felt closer to a home game for Colombia than a neutral-site knockout match. — Emily Curiel, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026 However, after a stone struck the opposition head coach, FIFA declared the game was to be replayed on the neutral territory of Stade de Gerland in Lyon, France. — Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 4 July 2026 Under Captain George Webb's Company of Light Infantry, Sampson was assigned the risky task of scouting neutral territory. — Catherine Messier, The Providence Journal, 4 July 2026 In addition to the neutral shades, Quince just added multiple summer options, including light pink and deep red with white stripes. — Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for neutral
Recent Examples of Synonyms for neutral
  1. independent
  2. boring
  3. autonomous
  4. beige
  5. impartial
  6. noncommittal
  7. nonpartisan
  8. featureless
Adjective
  • The ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants, is staffed by medical professionals who maintain detailed records viewed as generally reliable by United Nations agencies and independent experts.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 July 2026
  • The election in the 25th Congressional District, which runs along the Atlantic coast from Delray Beach to Miami Beach, is seen by all major independent congressional election analysts as a toss-up that could go either way.
    — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 18 July 2026
Definition of independent
Adjective
  • The couple just stole $10 million — a theft consequential enough to set the entire story in motion, yet also too boring to depict outside a brief flashback?
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 15 July 2026
  • The boring games are usually like watching paint dry and their very dedicated fans are only there for the massive parties.
    — Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 July 2026
Definition of boring
Adjective
  • Since the brand expanded and opened operations in the city this year, autonomous all-electric Waymos have taken over Miami’s streets.
    — Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026
  • Questions over whether autonomous vehicles and weapons are handy supplemental tools or disruptive innovations are in keeping with a long-running debate over what constitutes a revolution in military affairs.
    — Phillips Payson O’Brien, The Atlantic, 18 July 2026
Definition of autonomous
Adjective
  • The interior, meanwhile, is done up in a light beige leather, with a patch on the lid that shows off the partnership logo between Louis Vuitton and FIFA.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 14 July 2026
  • The new spa draws inspiration from the resort’s Sonoran Desert surroundings, with limestone walls bathed in sandy beige tones and custom stone mosaics, while sculptural furnishings mirror the crecendos of Camelback Mountain outside.
    — Tim Chan, HollywoodReporter, 12 July 2026
Definition of beige
Adjective
  • Argentina followers found the more official watch party at Centennial Park too um … impartial … for their tastes and moved their festivities a few blocks east.
    — Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 16 July 2026
  • The agency’s swift judgement on the incidents prompted calls for impartial investigations from local officials and a flurry of protests.
    — Annette Choi, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
Definition of impartial
Adjective
  • Sometimes this little burst of movement triggers noncommittal fish.
    — Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 9 July 2026
  • But Mayor Robert Harrington was noncommittal on Charlotte’s next steps and whether the city will change its position on the controversial project.
    — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 9 July 2026
Definition of noncommittal
Adjective
  • More than a quarter of working-age adults who relied on credit cards to buy groceries were either unable to pay their balance in full or missed their minimum payment, according to the Urban Institute, a nonpartisan think tank.
    — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 13 July 2026
  • Funded by nonpartisan pro-civic engagement groups – Democracy Rising Collaborative and Keep Our Republic – the trip served as a test case for whether Americans are concerned about challenges to the judicial branch's powers.
    — Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 11 July 2026
Definition of nonpartisan
Adjective
  • Shortly after the Big Bang, the universe was largely featureless and smooth.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 2 July 2026
  • The pieces are abstract but appear to show featureless human figures sitting atop globular, cloud-like shapes that float in the air.
    — Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 7 June 2026
Definition of featureless

Browse Nearby Words

neuters
neutral
neutralism
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Cite this Entry

“Neutral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/neutral. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on neutral

Nglish: Translation of neutral for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about neutral

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