neutralize

Other forms: neutralized; neutralizing; neutralizes

When you neutralize something, you make it harmless or ineffective — usually by applying its opposite force, like pouring water on a fire.

The world neutral was first used to describe a country that doesn’t take sides in a war, like Switzerland. There’s something kind of noble about a country that doesn’t participate in war by choice, but when we say something has been neutralized — that usually means that its power has been taken away from the outside.

Definitions of neutralize

1. verb

   make ineffective by counterbalancing the effect of
   “Her optimism neutralizes his gloom”

   synonyms: negate, neutralise, nullify

   type of:

   nerf, weaken

   lessen the strength of
2. verb

   oppose and mitigate the effects of by contrary actions
   synonyms: counteract, counterbalance, countervail

   types:

   override

   counteract the normal operation of (an automatic gear shift in a vehicle)

   type of:

   cancel, offset, set off

   make up for
3. verb

   make incapable of military action
   synonyms: neutralise

   type of:

   demilitarise, demilitarize

   do away with the military organization and potential of
4. verb

   make politically neutral and thus inoffensive
   “The treaty neutralized the small republic”

   types:

   co-opt

   neutralize or win over through assimilation into an established group

   type of:

   alter, change, modify

   cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
5. verb

   make chemically neutral
   “She neutralized the solution”

   synonyms: neutralise

   type of:

   alter, change, modify

   cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
6. verb

   get rid of (someone who may be a threat) by killing
   “the double agent was neutralized”

   synonyms: do in, knock off, liquidate, neutralise, waste

   type of:

   kill

   cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly