Library / English Dictionary

NEUTRALIZE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Make chemically neutral

Example:

She neutralized the solution

Synonyms:

neutralise; neutralize

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "neutralize" is one way to...):

alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

neutralization (a chemical reaction in which an acid and a base interact with the formation of a salt; with strong acids and bases the essential reaction is the combination of hydrogen ions with hydroxyl ions to form water)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Make ineffective by counterbalancing the effect of

Example:

This action will negate the effect of my efforts

Synonyms:

negate; neutralise; neutralize; nullify

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "neutralize" is one way to...):

weaken (lessen the strength of)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

neutralization (action intended to nullify the effects of some previous action)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Make incapable of military action

Synonyms:

neutralise; neutralize

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Hypernyms (to "neutralize" is one way to...):

demilitarise; demilitarize (do away with the military organization and potential of)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

neutralization (action intended to keep a country politically neutral or exclude it from a possible war)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Get rid of (someone who may be a threat) by killing

Example:

the double agent was neutralized

Synonyms:

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

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "neutralize" is one way to...):

kill (cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

Sense 5

Meaning:

Make politically neutral and thus inoffensive

Example:

The treaty neutralized the small republic

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "neutralize" is one way to...):

alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "neutralize"):

co-opt (neutralize or win over through assimilation into an established group)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

neutralization (action intended to keep a country politically neutral or exclude it from a possible war)

Sense 6

Meaning:

Oppose and mitigate the effects of by contrary actions

Example:

This will counteract the foolish actions of my colleagues

Synonyms:

counteract; counterbalance; countervail; neutralize

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "neutralize" is one way to...):

cancel; offset; set off (make up for)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "neutralize"):

override (counteract the normal operation of (an automatic gear shift in a vehicle))

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

neutralization (action intended to nullify the effects of some previous action)

Credits

 Context examples: 

They also inhibit a variety of pro-inflammatory enzymes, such as cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1) and COX-2, block the formation of reactive-oxygen species and neutralize free radicals.

(Olive Oil Extract/Curcumin-based Capsule, NCI Thesaurus)

Palivizumab neutralizes and inhibits fusion activity of RSV, thereby preventing syncytia formation.

(Palivizumab, NCI Thesaurus)

With the slippery grass the superior activity of Wilson would be neutralized, and he would find it harder to avoid the rushes of his opponent.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Namilumab binds to and neutralizes GM-CSF, by preventing GM-CSF from binding to its cell surface receptor, GM-CSFR.

(Namilumab, NCI Thesaurus)

Upon administration, IGF ligand neutralizing antibody BI 836845 binds to both IGF-1 and IGF-2 and inhibits the binding of these ligands to their receptor, IGF-1R.

(IGF Ligand Neutralizing Antibody BI 836845, NCI Thesaurus)

Furthermore, ebselen may be neuroprotective due to its ability to neutralize free radicals upon NMDA receptor activation thus, reducing lipoperoxidation mediated by glutamate-induced excitotoxicity.

(Ebselen, NCI Thesaurus)

This MoAb is capable of neutralizing inflammatory reactions via a complement-dependent cytotoxic mechanism.

(Gavilimomab, NCI Thesaurus)

Development of neutralizing antibodies in individuals who have been exposed to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV/HTLV-III/LAV).

(HIV Positivity, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

Anti-ALK-1 monoclonal antibody PF-03446962 binds to and neutralizes ALK-1.

(Anti-ALK-1 Monoclonal Antibody PF-03446962, NCI Thesaurus)

Upon administration, anti-myostatin monoclonal antibody LY2495655 binds to and neutralizes the MSTN protein, thereby blocking the MSTN signalling pathway.

(Anti-myostatin Monoclonal Antibody LY2495655, NCI Thesaurus)