neutralize
verbattested in dialogue
- United Kingdom//ˈnjuːtɹəlaɪz//
- United States//ˈnutɹəˌlaɪz//
To make (something) even, inactive or ineffective.
verb
- 1
To make (something) even, inactive or ineffective.
The antidote neutralized the toxin.
It’s possible that some microbes don’t just take up residence in tumors but help them grow. They may cloak the tumor from the immune system, neutralize drugs or help tumors spread through the body.
- 2
To make (a territory, etc.) politically neutral.
All the powers involved are committed not only to stay out of a given territory, but also to reenter it if any one of them violates the independence of the neutralized country.
- 3
To make (an acidic or alkaline substance) chemically neutral.
- 4
To kill.
At the beginning of the opening game, Shepard becomes the first human Spectre, an elite operative given broad authority to neutralize threats to galactic order in the galaxy.
“We managed to neutralise the guilty person. So there was no longer any imminent threat,” De Croo said, […]
Etymology
From French neutraliser (first attested in 1642). By surface analysis, neutral + -ize.
Forms
- past tense
- neutralized
- past participle
- neutralized
- present participle
- neutralizing
- third person singular
- neutralizes
neutralize · To make (something) even, inactive or ineffective.
neutron · A subatomic particle forming part of the nucleus of an atom…Nevada · A state in the western United States. Capital: Carson City.…never · At no time; on no occasion; in no circumstance.