neutralise
gb/nˈɔɪtɹəlɪs/ us/nˈɔɪtɹəlɪs/
B2
English
ellensúlyoz, semlegesít, hatástalanít, kiiktat, tompít
VERB
B2
1
ellensúlyoz
B2
semlegesít
B2
Usage pattern:
neutralise [something] / neutralise the effect(s) of [something]
Drinking water can help neutralise the burning sensation after spicy food.
Az ivóvíz segíthet enyhíteni a csípős étel utáni égető érzést.
The company offered discounts to neutralise the impact of the price rise.
A cég kedvezményeket kínált, hogy ellensúlyozza az áremelés hatását.
She tried to neutralise the criticism by explaining the decision clearly.
Learner examples
This medicine neutralises the poison.
Ez a gyógyszer semlegesíti a mérget.
A coat can neutralise the cold wind.
Egy kabát csökkentheti a hideg szél hatását.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse neutralise (make an effect weaker/cancel it) with neutral (not taking sides). Also note US spelling: neutralize.
Meaning
counteract or cancel out
Collocations
neutralise the effects
|neutralise an effect
|neutralise the impact
|neutralise a disadvantage
|neutralise a weakness
|neutralise criticism
|neutralise the negative effects
|neutralise the damage
|neutralise inflation
|neutralise risk
Synonyms
counteract (Emphasises acting against an effect.)
|
offset (Suggests balancing an effect with another.)
|
cancel out (More informal; suggests two effects becoming zero overall.)
|
negate (More formal; often used for plans, advantages, or arguments.)
Antonyms
intensify (Make an effect stronger rather than weaker.)
|
exacerbate (Make a bad situation worse.)
Themes
daily_life
|health
|science
Definition
To stop something from having an effect, or to make its effect weaker.
To counteract something so that its effect is reduced or completely cancelled.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
neutralise [a threat/opponent/target] / neutralise [someone]
Police said they had neutralised the immediate threat to the public.
A rendőrség szerint sikerült semlegesíteniük a lakosságot fenyegető közvetlen veszélyt.
The security team worked to neutralise the explosive device safely.
A biztonsági csapat azon dolgozott, hogy biztonságosan hatástalanítsa a robbanószerkezetet.
The new tactic helped neutralise their strongest striker.
Learner examples
The guards neutralised the danger.
Az őrök elhárították a veszélyt.
Experts neutralised the bomb.
A szakértők hatástalanították a bombát.
Common mistake:
In news or military language, neutralise can be a euphemism meaning ‘kill’; learners may miss this implied meaning from context.
Meaning
make a threat harmless
Collocations
neutralise a threat
|neutralise an attacker
|neutralise a target
|neutralise the enemy
|neutralise a bomb
|neutralise an explosive device
|neutralise a danger
|neutralise a hostile force
|neutralise a suspect
|neutralise a plot
Synonyms
disable (Focuses on preventing operation or movement.)
|
incapacitate (Emphasises making someone unable to act.)
|
eliminate (Stronger; often implies complete removal or killing.)
Antonyms
arm (Provide weapons or capability instead of removing it.)
|
activate (Cause something (e.g., a device) to become active rather than disabled.)
Themes
security
|crime
|military
|news
Definition
To make someone or something dangerous unable to do harm.
To stop a person, group, or dangerous thing from being able to act effectively, especially by restraining, disabling, or destroying it.
VERB
C1
TECHNICAL
3
semlegesít
B2
Usage pattern:
neutralise [acid/alkali] / neutralise [something] with [something]
The lab used sodium hydroxide to neutralise the acid.
A labor nátrium-hidroxidot használt a sav semlegesítésére.
Antacids work by neutralising excess stomach acid.
A savlekötők úgy hatnak, hogy semlegesítik a felesleges gyomorsavat.
After the spill, the team neutralised the solution before disposal.
Learner examples
Antacids neutralise stomach acid.
A savlekötők semlegesítik a gyomorsavat.
Common mistake:
Do not use neutralise to mean simply ‘dilute’; in chemistry it usually means reacting an acid with a base (or vice versa).
Meaning
make acid or base neutral
Collocations
neutralise an acid
|neutralise an alkali
|neutralise stomach acid
|neutralise a solution
|neutralise acidity
|neutralise the pH
|neutralise with a base
|neutralise with an alkali
|neutralise with lime
|neutralise with sodium bicarbonate
Synonyms
deacidify (More specific to reducing acidity, not necessarily to neutral pH.)
Antonyms
acidify (Make a substance more acidic rather than neutral.)
|
alkalise (Make a substance more alkaline rather than neutral.)
Themes
chemistry
|science
|health
Definition
To make a liquid not acidic and not alkaline.
To make a substance neither acidic nor alkaline, especially by adding another substance so the acid and base react.
VERB
C1
4
semlegesít
B2
tompít
B2
Usage pattern:
neutralise [a smell/tone/colour] / neutralise [something] with [something]
A squeeze of lemon can neutralise the fishy smell.
Egy kevés citromlé semlegesítheti a halszagot.
He rewrote the email to neutralise the aggressive tone.
Átírta az e-mailt, hogy semlegesítse az agresszív hangnemet.
The stylist used a toner to neutralise the brassy colour.
Learner examples
Milk can neutralise a spicy taste.
A tej tompíthatja a csípős ízt.
Meaning
make tone or colour more neutral
Collocations
neutralise an odour
|neutralise a smell
|neutralise a bitter taste
|neutralise sweetness
|neutralise a bright colour
|neutralise redness
|neutralise yellow tones
|neutralise the tone
|neutralise harshness
|neutralise the flavour
Synonyms
tone down (More informal; often used for language, behaviour, or colour intensity.)
|
balance (Suggests adjusting multiple elements to achieve an even result.)
Antonyms
accentuate (Make a feature more noticeable rather than reducing it.)
|
strengthen (Increase intensity rather than making it neutral.)
Themes
food
|design
|communication
Definition
To make a strong smell, taste, colour, or tone less strong and more neutral.
To remove or reduce a strong quality (such as colour, taste, smell, or tone) so that something becomes more neutral or balanced.
Grammar
Dictionary form
neutralise
IPA
GB/nˈɔɪtɹəlɪs/
US/nˈɔɪtɹəlɪs/
Syllables & stress
neut - ral - ise (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (neut)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: neutralise
- 3rd Person Singular: neutralises
- Present Participle: neutralising
- Past: neutralised
Word family
Forms
neutralises
verb
neutralising
verb
neutralised
verb
Core family
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
non-neutral
adjective
Advanced or less common
neutralist
noun
neutralism
noun
Expressions
neutralise a bomb
1/nˈɔɪtɹəlɪs ə bˈɑm/
fixed phrase
formal
make an explosive safe
To make a bomb safe.
Examples
- Specialists were called in to neutralise the bomb.
- The device was neutralised before anyone was hurt.
- They evacuated the area while the team worked to neutralise the explosive.
Learner examples
- Experts neutralised the bomb.
neutralise a threat
1/nˈɔɪtɹəlɪs ə θɹˈɛt/
fixed phrase
formal
stop danger from acting
To stop a danger.
Examples
- The pilot took action to neutralise the threat of a mid-air collision.
- Officers moved quickly to neutralise the threat to bystanders.
- The update was meant to neutralise the threat posed by the malware.
Learner examples
- The police neutralised the threat.
neutralise an acid
1/nˈɔɪtɹəlɪs ən ˈæsɪd/
fixed phrase
technical
remove acidity by reaction
To make an acid not acidic.
Examples
- Add the base slowly to neutralise the acid.
- They used limestone to neutralise the acid in the lake.
- In the experiment, the goal was to neutralise the acid completely.
Learner examples
- We neutralised the acid with a base.
neutralise each other
1/nˈɔɪtɹəlɪs ˈit͡ʃ ˈʌðɚ/
fixed phrase
cancel each other out
Two things make each other have no effect.
Examples
- The two medicines can neutralise each other if taken together.
- Their strengths and weaknesses tended to neutralise each other in the partnership.
- In the final calculation, the gains and losses neutralised each other.
Learner examples
- These two forces neutralise each other.
neutralise the effects of [something]
1/nˈɔɪtɹəlɪs ðə ɪfˈɛkts əv sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
cancel out an effect
To stop something from affecting you.
Examples
- They planted trees to help neutralise the effects of pollution.
- The extra training helped neutralise the effects of his lack of experience.
- He took a break to neutralise the effects of stress.
Learner examples
- Sleep can neutralise the effects of tiredness.