neutralize Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb make politically neutral and thus inoffensive
    • The treaty neutralized the small republic
  2. verb make ineffective by counterbalancing the effect of
    nullify; negate; neutralise.
    • Her optimism neutralizes his gloom
    • This action will negate the effect of my efforts
  3. verb oppose and mitigate the effects of by contrary actions
    counteract; countervail; counterbalance.
    • This will counteract the foolish actions of my colleagues
  4. verb get rid of (someone who may be a threat) by killing
    knock off; liquidate; do in; waste; neutralise.
    • The mafia liquidated the informer
    • the double agent was neutralized
  5. verb make incapable of military action
    neutralise.
  6. verb make chemically neutral
    neutralise.
    • She neutralized the solution

WordNet

Neu"tral*ize transitive verb
Etymology
Cf. F. neutraliser.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Neutralized ; present participle & verbal noun Neutralizing
Definitions
  1. To render neutral; to reduce to a state of neutrality.
    So here I am neutralized again. Sir W. Scott.
  2. (Chem.) To render inert or imperceptible the peculiar affinities of, as a chemical substance; to destroy the effect of; as, to neutralize an acid with a base.
  3. To destroy the peculiar or opposite dispositions of; to reduce to a state of indifference inefficience; to counteract; as, to neutralize parties in government; to neutralize efforts, opposition, etc.
    Counter citations that neutralize each other. E. Everett.

Webster 1913