neutralize
/ˈnjuːtrəlaɪz/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈnuːtrəlaɪz/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈnü-trə-ˌlīz ˈnyü-/ (ame, mw)
neutralize — verb
- neutralizepresent simple I / you / we / they
- neutralizeshe / she / it
- neutralizedpast simple
- neutralizing-ing form
1. to stop something or someone from causing harm or producing a result, by acting
to stop something or someone from causing harm or producing a result, by acting against that thing or person.
The pilots dropped flares to neutralize the heat-seeking missiles fired at the plane.
neutralize + noun (threat / weapon)
Manuela took an antacid to neutralize the burning feeling in her stomach.
neutralize + noun (sensation)
The new tariff was designed to neutralize the price advantage of foreign steel makers.
Theo wore a thick coat to neutralize the cold wind on the mountain trail.
Defenders were sent out wide to neutralize the speed of the opposing wingers.
- counteract
very close synonym; slightly more formal and common with abstract forces
- offset
stresses balancing out rather than stopping completely
- nullify
more formal; emphasises reducing to zero, often in legal or contractual contexts
文法句型
neutralize + noun (effect, threat, impact)
用法筆記
Object is usually something unwanted or threatening — a threat, advantage, weapon, sensation, or rival player. Often paired with deliberate action by the subject.
常見錯誤
2. to change a substance so that it is no longer acid and no longer alkali, usually
to change a substance so that it is no longer acid and no longer alkali, usually by adding the opposite kind of chemical.
Élise added a small amount of baking soda to neutralize the vinegar in the sink.
neutralize + acid/alkali noun
Lime is often spread on farm fields to neutralize soil that has become too acidic.
passive use in agricultural / scientific writing
Hassan rinsed the burn with water for several minutes to neutralize the cleaning chemical.
The chemistry teacher showed Dylan how to neutralize a strong acid using sodium hydroxide.
Saira poured a special powder into the pond to neutralize the high pH levels.
- balance
more general; not specifically a chemistry term
- counteract
broader; works for chemistry as well as abstract forces
- acidify
to make a substance more acid rather than neutral
文法句型
neutralize + noun (acid, alkali, solution)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is the literal chemistry meaning. If the object is a substance, acid, base, or pH level, you are in sense 2. Sense 1 covers abstract or non-chemical forces.
常見錯誤
3. in military or government language, to kill an enemy person or destroy them so t
in military or government language, to kill an enemy person or destroy them so that they can no longer fight.
Special forces moved through the building to neutralize the gunmen on the upper floor.
object is hostile combatant
Officials announced that the leader of the armed group had been neutralized in the raid.
passive: has been neutralized — common in news reports
Indra warned that any sniper on the rooftop must be neutralized before the convoy could pass.
The drone strike was meant to neutralize the commander hiding in the desert camp.
文法句型
neutralize + noun (target, person, enemy)
用法筆記
A euphemism — speakers avoid the blunt word 'kill' by using 'neutralize' to sound official or technical. Subject is usually a military unit, government agency, or weapon system; object is a hostile person or group.
常見錯誤
4. for cycling and car-racing events, to officially pause the timing of a race for
for cycling and car-racing events, to officially pause the timing of a race for a short period, usually because of an accident or danger ahead on the road.
Race officials decided to neutralize the stage after a serious crash near the finish line.
subject is race official / governing body
Heavy fog forced the organisers to neutralize the final climb of the mountain stage.
passive-style: forced to neutralize
Henry watched as the marshals neutralized the lap so that ambulances could reach the injured rider.
The race was neutralized for fifteen minutes while the broken barriers were repaired.
- suspend
more general; suspending a race may end it, whereas neutralizing only pauses the timing
文法句型
neutralize + noun (race, stage, lap)
用法筆記
Highly domain-specific to cycling and motor racing. Subject is almost always 'officials', 'marshals', 'organisers', or 'the race director'. The neutralized period does not affect the gaps between riders.
常見錯誤
5. to give a country or area a special status during a war or conflict so that no s
to give a country or area a special status during a war or conflict so that no side may attack it or use it for fighting.
After the treaty was signed, the great powers agreed to neutralize the small mountain kingdom.
subject is a state or coalition
Nadia argued that neutralizing the border region would protect civilians during the long war.
neutralize + zone / region
The two governments promised to neutralize the islands so that fishing boats could pass safely.
Switzerland was permanently neutralized by international treaty in the early nineteenth century.
- demilitarize
narrower: focuses on removing armed forces; neutralizing also forbids attacks by others
文法句型
neutralize + noun (country, zone, territory)
用法筆記
Formal political and diplomatic register. Subject is typically a state, international body, or treaty; object is a country, zone, or territory. Often appears in the passive form 'be neutralized by treaty'.