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]:
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
Define.com is a registered nonprofit corporation dedicated solely to the global public interest and the advancement of humanity. It belongs to all of us who have a desire to promote electronic democracy, science, creativity, imagination, reason, critical thinking, peace, race and gender equality, civil rights, equal access to education, personal liberty, free speech, animal rights, compassionate and nonviolent parenting, social and economic justice, global monetary reform, Secular Humanism, cognitive liberty and a permanent cessation of The War on Drugs.
Let's see what we can do if we put our heads together.
0