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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Neutralize \Neu"tral*ize\, verb (used with an object) [imp. & p. p. {Neutralized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Neutralizing}.] [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.) 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 properties or opposite dispositions of; to reduce to a state of indifference or inefficiency; to counteract; to render ineffective; as, to neutralize parties in government; to neutralize efforts, opposition, etc.
Counter citations that neutralize each other. --E. Everett.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
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" [syn: {neutralise}, {nullify}, {negate}]
3: oppose and mitigate the effects of by contrary actions; "This will counteract the foolish actions of my colleagues" [syn: {counteract}, {countervail}, {counterbalance}]
4: get rid of (someone who may be a threat) by killing; "The mafia liquidated the informer"; "the double agent was neutralized" [syn: {neutralise}, {liquidate}, {waste}, {knock off}, {do in}]
5: make incapable of military action [syn: {neutralise}]
6: make chemically neutral; "She neutralized the solution" [syn: {neutralise}]
From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:
51 Moby Thesaurus words for "neutralize": abrogate, absorb the shock, annul, balance, break the fall, bring to nothing, buffer, cancel, cancel out, come to nothing, compensate, compensate for, conquer, counteract, counterbalance, countercheck, counterpoise, countervail, cushion, damp, dampen, deaden, defeat, delete, equalize, even, frustrate, invalidate, make up for, negate, negativate, negative, nullify, offset, overcome, override, overrule, redress, show consideration, show mercy, show pity, soften, soften the blow, square, stultify, subdue, suppress, thwart, undo, vitiate, void
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Definitions retrieved from local copies of the freely distributed DICT client/server software and databases. Click here for database copyright information. - KM |