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
a :  to counteract the activity or effect of :  make ineffective <propaganda that is difficult to neutralize>
b :  kill, destroy
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
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First Known Use of NEUTRALIZE

1759

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\

Browse

2 ENTRIES FOUND:
Next Word in the Dictionary: neutral lardPrevious Word in the Dictionary: neutralization numberAll Words Near: neutralize
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