as in nullifying
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1
as in offsetting
to balance with an equal force so as to make ineffective
a pro-government rally that is intended to neutralize the antiwar demonstrations
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in assassinating
to put to death deliberately
orders to find the renegade colonel and to neutralize him
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Recent Examples of neutralizing
Brian Winter, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Baking Soda As an alkaline compound, baking soda is skilled at neutralizing odors.
—Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 12 Dec. 2025
From there, researchers could comb through the libraries to identify any broadly neutralizing nanobodies.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 29 Oct. 2025
Palivizumab bound to the prefusion and postfusion F proteins, but the most strongly neutralizing antibodies against RSV were those that only targeted the virus’s prefusion structure.
—Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 23 Sep. 2025
Jarrett Renshaw, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
Seizing or neutralizing Kharg Island Kharg Island is the centerpiece of Iran’s oil export system.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 17 Mar. 2026
Purdue had done a better job neutralizing the Bruins’ dynamic point guard than UCLA’s previous two opponents, having held him to only two points in 10 minutes.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2026
The Spurs deployed myriad defensive coverages against Cade Cunningham in the two matchups, and their objective of neutralizing him was clear.
—Jared Weiss, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Next-gen strike missile Developed by Lockheed Martin, PrSM is the next-generation surface-to-surface weapon system designed to enhance deterrence and provide advanced capabilities for neutralizing, suppressing, and destroying targets at depth.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 2 Mar. 2026
For now, the Supreme Court ruling has effectively installed a strict near-term ceiling on trade barriers, substantially neutralizing the threat of runaway tariff escalation.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2026
This versatile liquid, which is probably already in your kitchen cabinet, is great for cutting through grease, removing stains, neutralizing odors, and tackling a variety of household tasks, like making the bathtub sparkle.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2026
Fabric softener counteracts those negative charges, neutralizing them.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
By partly neutralizing criticism that its leaders are elitist or antidemocratic, the right has been able to focus on issues that play to its strengths.
—Brian Winter, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Baking Soda As an alkaline compound, baking soda is skilled at neutralizing odors.
—Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 12 Dec. 2025
From there, researchers could comb through the libraries to identify any broadly neutralizing nanobodies.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 29 Oct. 2025
Palivizumab bound to the prefusion and postfusion F proteins, but the most strongly neutralizing antibodies against RSV were those that only targeted the virus’s prefusion structure.
—Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
Trump has repeatedly said the higher energy costs are a small price to pay for neutralizing Iran.
—Jarrett Renshaw, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
Seizing or neutralizing Kharg Island Kharg Island is the centerpiece of Iran’s oil export system.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 17 Mar. 2026
Purdue had done a better job neutralizing the Bruins’ dynamic point guard than UCLA’s previous two opponents, having held him to only two points in 10 minutes.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2026
The Spurs deployed myriad defensive coverages against Cade Cunningham in the two matchups, and their objective of neutralizing him was clear.
—Jared Weiss, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Next-gen strike missile Developed by Lockheed Martin, PrSM is the next-generation surface-to-surface weapon system designed to enhance deterrence and provide advanced capabilities for neutralizing, suppressing, and destroying targets at depth.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 2 Mar. 2026
For now, the Supreme Court ruling has effectively installed a strict near-term ceiling on trade barriers, substantially neutralizing the threat of runaway tariff escalation.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2026
This versatile liquid, which is probably already in your kitchen cabinet, is great for cutting through grease, removing stains, neutralizing odors, and tackling a variety of household tasks, like making the bathtub sparkle.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2026
Fabric softener counteracts those negative charges, neutralizing them.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for neutralizing
Verb
-
With former workers and customers offering their support, Heyward’s family has launched a GoFundMe in the hopes to offsetting his growing medical bills since closing the business at 17 Kimberly Ave.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Kevin Carter | Getty Images Mortgage rates fell to the lowest level in a month, boosting refinance activity and offsetting weak demand from homebuyers.—
Lisa Rizzolo,
CNBC,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The special will look into the stories of Luigi Mangione, who faces trial in the killing of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson; Tyler Robinson, accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk; and Robin Westman, accused of a mass shooting at a Catholic church in Minneapolis.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
15 Apr. 2026
-
This comes on top of at least 15 years of US-Israel assassinating Iranian university scientists and their families.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Arigato Sushi passed a reinspection on Saturday, April 11, after correcting the vermin issue.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Thankfully, Chicago’s City Council has an opportunity to take a meaningful step toward correcting these long-standing inequities.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Bukele has accused them of murdering 200,000 people, including about 80,000 who disappeared without a trace.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Israel has been murdering Palestinians for decades and is now committing genocide—and for the third year running, they’re welcomed back onto the stage.—
Kiana Mickles,
Pitchfork,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Celonis analyzed the 5,000 delivery runs a day the brewery was executing, worked out how to make the runs more efficient, and reduced the number of journeys by 17%.—
Kamal Ahmed,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
-
New York City Councilman Chi Osse was arrested Wednesday while protesting the eviction of one of his constituents, blocking city marshals from executing the tenant’s removal.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Field, 44, was released from prison just last year after serving a 24-year sentence for the April 29, 2000, slaying.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
In a text message, Intriago wrote that certain Americans needed Charles’ protection after acting under a Haitian judge’s order that led to Moïse’s slaying more than four years ago.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In some cases, the frost is severe enough to end the growing season and is then referred to as a 'killing frost'.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Mack was sentenced to 10 years in prison for killing her mother, while Schaefer, who admitted fatally beating von Wiese-Mack but claimed self defense, received an 18-year prison term.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Neutralizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/neutralizing. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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