neutralize
pronunciation
How to pronounce neutralize in British English:
UK [ˈnjuːtrəlaɪz]
How to pronounce neutralize in American English:
US [ˈnuːtrəlaɪz]
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- Verb:
- make politically neutral and thus inoffensive
- make ineffective by counterbalancing the effect of
- oppose and mitigate the effects of by contrary actions
- get rid of (someone who may be a threat) by killing
- make incapable of military action
- make chemically neutral
Word Origin
- neutralize (v.)
- 1734, "to render neutral" (in a chemical sense), from French neutraliser (17c.), from neutral (see neutral (adj.)). Meaning "to counterbalance, to kill by opposing" is from 1795. Related: Neutralized; neutralizing.
Example
- 1. The acid in the vinegar will neutralize most pesticides .
- 2. The boron helps neutralize some of the radiation .
- 3. The answer is that two problems could neutralize it potential benefits .
- 4. It can also redouble its lobbying and other influence activities in an effort to neutralize or deflect threats of extra-legal regulation .
- 5. Researchers now report that doses of the metal manganese neutralize the poison , possibly leading to the first treatment that halts its insidious effects .