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 The same phenomenon applies to minimalist interiors in independent coffee shops, all-neutral home decorating schemes and the uniformity of facial features and bodies on screen. — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026 The volunteer panel acted as a neutral arbiter of sleazy attacks and other unsavory campaign tactics. — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 1 Oct. 2026 The other bedrooms are quieter, with soft neutral colors, wood floors, and city views. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2026 Its move past bohemian into bombers, blazers, trenches and zip-ups signals a category shift, not a seasonal moment, and the chocolate-brown palette flagged by Yahoo Shopping is neutral enough to carry into spring. — Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 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
  • Four years ago, Tennessee's governor ordered another independent review into capital punishment after abruptly stopping the April 2022 execution of Oscar Smith.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • LionTree is an independent banking firm, investing in companies such as Fanatics and Fubo and advising high-profile deals such as Amazon’s acquisition of MGM and the merger of CBS and Viacom.
    — Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of independent
Adjective
  • As people outsource more of their thinking to software, the business world grows more homogeneous, risk-averse, predictable and, frankly, boring.
    — David Farbman, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
  • My very boring father’s record collection suddenly came alive.
    — Kristin Robinson, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of boring
Adjective
  • In Texas, Waymo had 1,154 autonomous vehicles authorized for commercial use as of Friday, including 359 of its new Ojai models, which feature a low step and doors that slide open and shut.
    — Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2026
  • This includes coordinated sensing across multiple domains and autonomous operations in contested, disconnected, and degraded environments.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of autonomous
Adjective
  • Colors are neutral and echo the surroundings rather than competing with them—stone-gray throw blankets and pillows, beige arm chairs, white walls–and artwork is at a minimum, maybe a tasteful landscape photograph in a simple black frame.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • In the primary bedroom, creamy beige walls are painted in custom limewash by Lucas Willing Studios, contrasted by a dark vintage kilim from Rug & Kilim.
    — Keith Flanagan, Architectural Digest, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of beige
Adjective
  • Countries that try to stay impartial in international disputes are having a tough go these days.
    — The Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Hardly an impartial judge of his own life, the Unabomber’s stated willingness to serve as the face of a revolutionary movement is chilling.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of impartial
Adjective
  • So why were the Braves publicly noncommittal about using him?
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Elsewhere around the town square, feelings range from cautious to noncommittal, from sorrowful to suspicious.
    — Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of noncommittal
Adjective
  • According to an analysis from California’s nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO), the tax could generate revenues in the tens of millions in the short term but cause decreases in income tax revenue in the future.
    — Juhi Doshi, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Its prominence in the statement signals increased international adoption, according to Jenn Gustetic, director of metascience and research and development policy at the nonpartisan think tank Institute for Progress.
    — Jared Perlo, NBC news, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of nonpartisan
Adjective
  • Shooting in a widescreen format that gives ironic grandeur to a squat, featureless town in the Texas Panhandle, DP Peter Flinckenberg is attentive to the piercing, sometimes radiant winter light of the region in the harshest months of the year.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The metal underneath In their last experiment, the team built a plate that was quartz on two-thirds and copper on the other third, then coated the whole thing with a single uniform layer of Teflon that provided a featureless surface.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 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 8 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on neutral

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about neutral

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