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
Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Feb. 2026
The Israel Defense Forces conducted approximately 80 brigade-level counterterrorism operations over the past year in the West Bank — known to Israelis as Judea and Samaria — neutralizing hundreds of terrorists and seizing more than 1,300 weapons, according to data released by the military.
—Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The in-shower treatment bolsters shine and intense hydration, while neutralizing discoloration.
—Ruby McAuliffe, InStyle, 21 Jan. 2026
By capturing and using the static electricity in compressed air, this system offers a sustainable way to generate electricity while also neutralizing hazardous charges that pose safety risks.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 12 Jan. 2026
Baking soda works by absorbing odors and neutralizing musty, acidic smells from mildew, mold, and bacteria.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026
The vitamin also acts as an antioxidant, helping to keep immune cells healthy by neutralizing free radicals, which are molecules found in harmful substances like pollution, cigarette smoke, and radiation that can damage cells and DNA.
—Danielle Zickl, Health, 5 Dec. 2025
In November, Californians passed Proposition 50, which shifts the state’s map to be more conducive to Democratic candidates, therefore possibly neutralizing the Texas plan.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
In addition, biofilms impose a physical barrier that restricts what crosses its border, such that saliva can no longer do its job of neutralizing acid as well.
—Jacqueline Abranches, The Conversation, 2 Dec. 2025
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
Fabric softener counteracts those negative charges, neutralizing them.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Feb. 2026
The Israel Defense Forces conducted approximately 80 brigade-level counterterrorism operations over the past year in the West Bank — known to Israelis as Judea and Samaria — neutralizing hundreds of terrorists and seizing more than 1,300 weapons, according to data released by the military.
—Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The in-shower treatment bolsters shine and intense hydration, while neutralizing discoloration.
—Ruby McAuliffe, InStyle, 21 Jan. 2026
By capturing and using the static electricity in compressed air, this system offers a sustainable way to generate electricity while also neutralizing hazardous charges that pose safety risks.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 12 Jan. 2026
Baking soda works by absorbing odors and neutralizing musty, acidic smells from mildew, mold, and bacteria.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026
The vitamin also acts as an antioxidant, helping to keep immune cells healthy by neutralizing free radicals, which are molecules found in harmful substances like pollution, cigarette smoke, and radiation that can damage cells and DNA.
—Danielle Zickl, Health, 5 Dec. 2025
In November, Californians passed Proposition 50, which shifts the state’s map to be more conducive to Democratic candidates, therefore possibly neutralizing the Texas plan.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
In addition, biofilms impose a physical barrier that restricts what crosses its border, such that saliva can no longer do its job of neutralizing acid as well.
—Jacqueline Abranches, The Conversation, 2 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for neutralizing
Verb
-
Private consumption drove the modest expansion, offsetting weakness in exports and public spending, according to data from Japan’s Cabinet Office.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The report identifies three massive, offsetting policy developments as the primary drivers of this fiscal deterioration.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Harry Jacobs, who was recently named head of the office's criminal division, was also involved in the prosecution of Vance Boelter, the man accused of assassinating former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
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Days later, Trump, much to the surprise of even his own advisers, responded by assassinating Iran’s top military commander, Qassem Soleimani, in Iraq.—
Karim Sadjadpour,
The Atlantic,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But with all that extra information comes errors, and error-correcting a quantum qubit—weeding out the noise to find the signal—is a challenge in itself.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
17 Feb. 2026
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And while a talented photographer can work wonders, even the best can’t outshoot a schedule that’s too tight or work literal color-correcting magic on photos washed out by the blazing sun.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Revuckas is also charged with murdering Morales's unborn child and is due back in court on Wednesday.—
Marissa Sulek,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
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The family of a Broward man is seeking justice after two teens were arrested in Texas on Thursday after being accused of murdering him.—
Ted Scouten,
Miami Herald,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Prosecutors detain former Defense Minister Kim over his role in planning and executing the declaration of martial law.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Feb. 2026
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While executing the search warrant on Sunday, deputies found a man dead inside the home, the Sheriff’s Office said on Monday.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Robert Early Madden, 37, was found guilty by a San Diego Superior Court jury of first-degree murder and a special circumstance allegation of committing the killing during a robbery for the July 15, 2024, slaying of 38-year-old Senait Legesse.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
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The series finds Ash Williams — of the original Evil Dead trilogy — living in a trailer park and working as a department store stocker, still haunted by his experiences slaying Deadites three decades earlier.—
Sammi Burke,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Also on Tuesday, Indivisible CT is conducting an anti-ICE rally on the state Capitol lawn, taking political aim at a federal agency that has fallen sharply out of public favor after killing two American citizens in Minnesota and roughing up scores of others.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
17 Feb. 2026
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The ex-husband of former First Lady Jill Biden, who has been accused of killing his wife late last year, pleaded not guilty in the case during a virtual court appearance on Tuesday.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
Mercury News,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Neutralizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/neutralizing. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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