Dictionary
neutralize
verb neu·tral·ize \ˈnü-trə-ˌlīz, ˈnyü-\
: to stop (someone or something) from being effective or harmful
: to cause (a chemical) to be neither an acid nor a base
: to make (something, such as a country or area) neutral during a war
neu·tral·izedneu·tral·iz·ing
Full Definition of NEUTRALIZE
transitive verb
1
: to make chemically neutral
2
3
: to make electrically inert by combining equal positive and negative quantities
4
: to invest (as a territory or a nation) with conventional or obligatory neutrality conferring inviolability during a war
5
: to make neutral by blending with the complementary color
6
: to give (as a pair of phonemes) a nondistinctive form or pronunciation <\t\ and \d\ are neutralized when pronounced as flaps>
intransitive verb
: to undergo neutralization
— neu·tral·iz·er noun
See neutralize defined for English-language learners
See neutralize defined for kids
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First Known Use of NEUTRALIZE
1759
Related to NEUTRALIZE
- Synonyms
- annul, cancel (out), compensate (for), correct, counteract, counterbalance, counterpoise, make up (for), negative, offset
Rhymes with NEUTRALIZE
advertise, agonize, alchemize, analyze, anglicize, anodize, anywise, aphorize, arborize, atomize, authorize, autolyze, balkanize, barbarize, bastardize, bestialize, bolshevize, booby prize, botanize, bowdlerize, brutalize, canalize, canonize, capsulize, caramelize, carbonize, cartelize, catalyze, catechize, cauterize, centralize, channelize, Christianize, cicatrize, circumcise, civilize, classicize, colonize, colorize, communize, compromise, concertize, concretize, creolize, criticize, customize, demonize, deputize, dialyze, digitize, disfranchise, dogmatize, dramatize, elegize, empathize, emphasize, energize, enfranchise, enterprise, equalize, erotize, eternize, etherize, eulogize, euphemize, exercise, exorcise, factorize, fantasize, federalize, feminize, fertilize, feudalize, fictionize, finalize, focalize, formalize, formulize, fossilize, fragmentize, fraternize, gallicize, galvanize, germanize, ghettoize, glamorize, globalize, gormandize, gothicize, gourmandize, grecianize, harmonize, heathenize, hebraize, hellenize, heroize, hierarchize, humanize, hybridize, hypnotize, idolize, immunize, iodize, ionize, ironize, Islamize, itemize, jeopardize, journalize, Judaize, laicize, latinize, legalize, lionize, liquidize, localize, magnetize, marbleize, martyrize, maximize, mechanize, melanize, melodize, memorize, merchandise, mesmerize, methodize, metricize, minimize, mobilize, modernize, moisturize, mongrelize, moralize, motorize, mythicize, narcotize, nasalize, nebulize, normalize, notarize, novelize, obelize, odorize, optimize, organize, ostracize, otherwise, oversize, oxidize, paganize, palletize, paradise, paralyze, pasteurize, patronize, pauperize, penalize, penny-wise, personalize, pidginize, plasticize, Platonize, pluralize, pocket-size, poetize, polarize, polemize, pressurize, privatize, profitwise, prussianize, publicize, pulverize, racialize, randomize, rationalize, realize, recognize, rhapsodize, robotize, romanize, sanitize, satirize, scandalize, schematize, schismatize, scrutinize, sensitize, sermonize, signalize, simonize, sinicize, slenderize, sloganize, socialize, sodomize, solarize, solemnize, specialize, stabilize, Stalinize, standardize, sterilize, stigmatize, strategize, subsidize, summarize, supervise, syllogize, symbolize, sympathize, synchronize, syncretize, synopsize, synthesize, systemize, tantalize, televise, temporize, tenderize, terrorize, tetanize, teutonize, texturize, theorize, thermalize, totalize, tranquilize, traumatize, tyrannize, unionize, unitize, urbanize, utilize, valorize, vandalize, vaporize, verbalize, vernalize, victimize, vitalize, vocalize, vulcanize, vulgarize, weather-wise, weatherize, westernize, winterize, womanize, worldly-wise
NEUTRALIZE Defined for Kids
neutralize
verb neu·tral·ize \ˈnü-trə-ˌlīz, ˈnyü-\
neu·tral·izedneu·tral·iz·ing
Definition of NEUTRALIZE for Kids
1
: to make chemically neutral <An acid is neutralized with lime.>
2
: to make ineffective <Good pitching will neutralize the other team's hitters.>
Medical Dictionary
neutralize
verb neu·tral·ize
neu·tral·ized also British neu·tral·isedneu·tral·iz·ing also British neu·tral·is·ing
Medical Definition of NEUTRALIZE
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
—neu·tral·iz·er also British neu·tral·is·er noun
Variants of NEUTRALIZE
neu·tral·ize also British neu·tral·ise \ˈn(y)ü-trə-ˌlīz\
Learn More About NEUTRALIZE
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