neutralize meaning and definition

NEUTRALIZE verb

Definition of neutralize (verb)

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