1. (

• neutralize

) make politically neutral and thus inoffensive; "The treaty neutralized the small republic" ;

2. (

• neutralize ,
• neutralise ,
• nullify ,
• negate ,

) make ineffective by counterbalancing the effect of; "Her optimism neutralizes his gloom"; "This action will negate the effect of my efforts" ;

3. (

• counteract ,
• countervail ,
• neutralize ,
• counterbalance

) oppose and mitigate the effects of by contrary actions; "This will counteract the foolish actions of my colleagues" ;

4. (

• neutralize ,
• neutralise ,
• liquidate ,
• waste ,
• knock_off ,
• do_in

) get rid of (someone who may be a threat) by killing; "The mafia liquidated the informer"; "the double agent was neutralized" ;

5. (

• neutralize ,
• neutralise

) make incapable of military action ;

6. (

• neutralize ,
• neutralise

) make chemically neutral; "She neutralized the solution" ;