Neutralize
['nʊtrə'laɪz]
Definition
(verb.) make chemically neutral; 'She neutralized the solution'.
(verb.) make ineffective by counterbalancing the effect of; 'Her optimism neutralizes his gloom'; 'This action will negate the effect of my efforts'.
(verb.) make incapable of military action.
(verb.) get rid of (someone who may be a threat) by killing; 'The mafia liquidated the informer'; 'the double agent was neutralized'.
(verb.) make politically neutral and thus inoffensive; 'The treaty neutralized the small republic'.
Inputed by Joanna--From WordNet
Definition
(v. t.) To render neutral; to reduce to a state of neutrality.
(v. t.) 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.
(v. t.) 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.
Inputed by Giles
Synonyms and Synonymous
v. a. Counterbalance, render neutral, render inert, destroy the effect of, render of no effect.
Typed by Harley
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Counteract, compensate, counterbalance, counterpoise, countervail
ANT:Aggravate, enhance, Intensify
Edited by Andrea
Examples
- Something had to be done to neutralize his growing popularity. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- The mode now generally employed to correct deviation is by introducing on board ship masses of iron and magnets to neutralize the action of the ship’s magnetism so far as possible. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- It would have no dynamic power because the forces would neutralize each other. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- For our present purposes, the most important characteristic of a base is that it will neutralize an acid and in some measure hinder the damage effected by the former. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- Bases, like acids, are good or bad according to their use; if they come in contact with cloth, they eat or discolor it, unless neutralized by an acid. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- This neutralized the tailing effect by clearing the line between pulsations, thus allowing the telegraphic characters to be clearly and distinctly outlined upon the tape. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- The material to be bleached is drawn through an acid _a_, then through a bleaching solution _b_, and finally through a neutralizing solution _c_. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- The bleached material is then immersed in a neutralizing bath and is finally rinsed thoroughly in water. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- The acid component of the grease partially neutralizes the base, and a new substance is formed, namely, soap. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- This liquid neutralizes the too abundant acids present in a weak system and so quiets and tones the stomach. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- For the safety and comfort of passengers, the great length reduces the pitching, bilge keels prevent rolling, and the Schlick system of cranks neutralizes vibration in the engine. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
Edited by Ivan