neutralize
gb/nˈutɹəlˌaɪz/ us/nˈutɹəlˌaɪz/
B2
Inglês
Aceções
0 aceções
Verbo
B2
action
1
make something ineffective
To stop something from having an effect.
Padrão de uso:
neutralize [something]
Erro comum:
Learners may confuse it with neutral (adjective). Also note spelling: neutralize (AmE) vs neutralise (BrE).
Sinónimos
counteract (Often used for reducing or opposing an effect.)
|
offset (Suggests balancing an effect with an equal opposite effect.)
|
nullify (More formal; suggests making something legally or practically void.)
Antónimos
intensify (Makes the effect stronger rather than removing it.)
|
reinforce (Adds support so something has more effect.)
Colocações
neutralize the effect
|neutralize the impact
|neutralize the risk
|neutralize the damage
|neutralize a problem
|neutralize the negative effects
|neutralize a toxin
|neutralize a virus
|neutralize the pain
|be neutralized by
Temas
daily_life
|health
|business
|problem_solving
Exemplos
- Drinking water can help neutralize the burning sensation after spicy food.
- The new policy was meant to neutralize the risk of sudden price increases.
- They added extra insulation to neutralize street noise at night.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- This medicine can neutralize the poison.
- The good news neutralized my worry.
Verbo
technical
C1
process
2
make an acid or base neutral
To make something not acidic and not basic.
Padrão de uso:
neutralize [acid/base] (with [substance])
Erro comum:
In chemistry, neutralize is about pH; it does not necessarily mean “make harmless” in every context.
Sinónimos
bring to neutral pH (More explicit; often used in lab instructions.)
|
deacidify (Specific to reducing acidity; not always a full neutralization.)
Antónimos
acidify (Makes something more acidic.)
|
alkalize (Makes something more basic (alkaline).)
Colocações
neutralize an acid
|neutralize a base
|neutralize the solution
|neutralize the mixture
|neutralize the spill
|neutralize with baking soda
|neutralizing agent
|neutralizing solution
|neutralization reaction
|neutralize the pH
Temas
science
|chemistry
|health
Exemplos
- Use sodium bicarbonate to neutralize the acid before cleaning it up.
- The lab technician neutralized the solution and then tested the pH again.
- Lime is sometimes added to neutralize acidic soil.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- Baking soda can neutralize acid.
- The teacher showed how to neutralize a solution.
Verbo
formal
C1
action
3
disable an enemy or threat
To stop a threat from being dangerous or effective.
Padrão de uso:
neutralize [someone/something]
Erro comum:
This sense is often used in news and military/police contexts; it can imply force and may sound harsh in everyday conversation.
Sinónimos
disable (Focuses on making something unable to function.)
|
eliminate (Stronger; often implies removing completely, sometimes by killing.)
|
subdue (Emphasizes bringing a person under control rather than destroying.)
Antónimos
arm (Gives someone the means to attack or resist.)
|
activate (Makes a system or device operational.)
Colocações
neutralize the threat
|neutralize an attacker
|neutralize enemy forces
|neutralize a target
|neutralize defenses
|neutralize a bomb
|neutralize a missile system
|neutralize a stronghold
|neutralize a suspect
|mission to neutralize
Temas
news
|crime
|military
|security
Exemplos
- Police said the suspect was neutralized before anyone else was hurt.
- The strike was intended to neutralize the radar system.
- The team trained for months to neutralize explosive devices safely.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- The guards neutralized the attacker.
- They neutralized the bomb.
Verbo
B2
action
4
remove an unwanted smell or taste
To make a bad smell or taste go away.
Padrão de uso:
neutralize [odor/smell/taste]
Erro comum:
Neutralize often implies using something to counteract the smell/taste, not just covering it up.
Sinónimos
deodorize (Specifically about removing odors; common for products.)
|
remove (More general; does not imply counteracting.)
|
mask (Means cover up; not the same as truly neutralizing.)
Antónimos
intensify (Makes the smell or taste stronger.)
|
taint (Adds an unpleasant taste or smell.)
Colocações
neutralize odors
|neutralize a smell
|neutralize bad breath
|neutralize bitterness
|neutralize the taste
|odor-neutralizing spray
|neutralize cooking smells
|neutralize the odor of smoke
|neutralize fishy smell
|neutralize sulfur smell
Temas
food
|home
|health
|daily_life
Exemplos
- An open box of baking soda can help neutralize odors in the fridge.
- The chef added a little sugar to neutralize the bitterness of the sauce.
- This spray neutralizes smoke smells instead of just covering them.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- This product neutralizes bad smells.
- Lemon can neutralize a strong taste.
Verbo
formal
C1
process
5
make something more neutral or unbiased
To make something less biased or less strongly marked.
Padrão de uso:
neutralize [language/tone/accent]
Erro comum:
In this sense, neutralize does not mean “approve” or “agree”; it means “make more neutral.”
Sinónimos
moderate (Suggests making something less extreme or intense.)
|
sanitize (Often implies removing offensive or controversial content; can sound critical.)
|
balance (Emphasizes giving equal weight rather than removing features.)
Antónimos
polarize (Makes positions more extreme or divided.)
|
bias (Introduces partiality rather than removing it.)
Colocações
neutralize the language
|neutralize the tone
|neutralize an accent
|neutralize gendered language
|neutralize a statement
|neutralize political bias
|neutralize the message
|neutralize emotional impact
|neutralize the color
|neutralize the look
Temas
communication
|society
|business
Exemplos
- The editor tried to neutralize the political language so the article sounded impartial.
- In training, actors learn to neutralize their accent for certain roles.
- They rewrote the email to neutralize the tone and avoid sounding angry.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- She neutralized the tone of her message.
- He tried to neutralize his accent.
Gramática
Forma de dicionário
neutralize
IPA
GB/nˈutɹəlˌaɪz/
US/nˈutɹəlˌaɪz/
Sílabas e acento
neut - ral - ize (3 sílabas)
Stress on 1st syllable (neut)
Formas da palavra
Verb
- Base: neutralize
- 3rd Person Singular: neutralizes
- Present Participle: neutralizing
- Past: neutralized
Família de palavras
Forms
neutralizes
verb
neutralizing
verb
neutralized
verb
Core family
Related words
neutrally
adverb
neutralizer
noun
Expressões
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