NEUTRALIZE

neutralize, neutralise

(verb) make chemically neutral; “She neutralized the solution”

neutralize, neutralise, nullify, negate

(verb) make ineffective by counterbalancing the effect of; “Her optimism neutralizes his gloom”; “This action will negate the effect of my efforts”

neutralize, neutralise

(verb) make incapable of military action

neutralize, neutralise, liquidate, waste, knock off, do in

(verb) get rid of (someone who may be a threat) by killing; “The mafia liquidated the informer”; “the double agent was neutralized”

neutralize

(verb) make politically neutral and thus inoffensive; “The treaty neutralized the small republic”

counteract, countervail, neutralize, counterbalance

(verb) oppose and mitigate the effects of by contrary actions; “This will counteract the foolish actions of my colleagues”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Verb

neutralize (third-person singular simple present neutralizes, present participle neutralizing, simple past and past participle neutralized)

(transitive) To make even, inactive or ineffective.

(transitive) To make (a territory, etc.) politically neutral.

(transitive, military, euphemism) To kill.

Synonyms

• counteract

• counterweigh

Source: Wiktionary


Neu"tral*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Neutralized; p. pr. & vb. n. Neutralizing.] Etym: [Cf. F. neutraliser.]

1. To render neutral; to reduce to a state of neutrality. So here I am neutralized again. Sir W. Scott.

2. (Chem.)

Definition: 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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



RESET




Word of the Day

2 February 2025

BACK

(adverb) at or to or toward the back or rear; “he moved back”; “tripped when he stepped backward”; “she looked rearward out the window of the car”


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Coffee Trivia

Decaffeinated coffee is not caffeine-free. Studies from the National Institute of Health (US) have shown that virtually all decaf coffee types contain caffeine. A 236-ml (8-oz) cup of decaf coffee contains up to 7 mg of caffeine, whereas a regular cup provided 70-140 mg.

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