neutralize

verb

neu·​tral·​ize ˈnü-trə-ˌlīz How to pronounce neutralize (audio)
ˈnyü-
neutralized; neutralizing

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
3
: to make electrically inert by combining equal positive and negative quantities
4
: to invest (a territory, a nation, etc.) with conventional or obligatory neutrality conferring inviolability during a war
5
: to make neutral by blending with the complementary color
6
: to give (a pair of phonemes) a nondistinctive form or pronunciation
\t\ and \d\ are neutralized when pronounced as flaps
neutralizer noun

Examples of neutralize in a Sentence

The soldiers tried to neutralize the attack by dividing the invading army. This medicine neutralizes stomach acids. The lands between the warring countries were neutralized.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The company, then more than two decades old, had been late to embrace the internet but now was using its power to neutralize its rival Netscape, ensconce its Internet Explorer as the victor, and eventually win the browser war. Steven Levy, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2024 Along its course, bile from the liver and fluid from the pancreas mix with the chyme, neutralizing the stomach acids and helping to digest food. Mark Gurarie, Health, 6 Nov. 2024 News of a second Trump presidency would likely neutralize any hope for a strong climate finance agreement in Baku. Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024 Eventually, the fun stopped against Lorenzo Musetti in the last 16 with the Italian employing his array of movement and tactical nous to neutralize an opponent feeling the pace of a Slam fortnight. Tim Ellis, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for neutralize 

Word History

First Known Use

1744, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of neutralize was in 1744

Dictionary Entries Near neutralize

Cite this Entry

“Neutralize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/neutralize. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

neutralize

verb
neu·​tral·​ize ˈn(y)ü-trə-ˌlīz How to pronounce neutralize (audio)
neutralized; neutralizing
1
: to make chemically neutral
neutralize an acid with a base
2
: to make ineffective : nullify
neutralize an opponent's move
3
: to make electrically neutral by combining equal positive and negative quantities
4
: to make politically neutral
neutralize a country
neutralization
ˌn(y)ü-trə-lə-ˈzā-shən
noun
neutralizer
ˈn(y)ü-trə-ˌlī-zər
noun

Medical Definition

neutralize

verb
neu·​tral·​ize
variants also British neutralise
neutralized also British neutralised; neutralizing also British neutralising

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
neutralizer noun
also British neutraliser

More from Merriam-Webster on neutralize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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