NEUTRALIZE Synonyms: 70 Similar and Opposite Words

neutralize

verb

ˈnü-trə-ˌlīz

Definition of neutralize

as in to offset

to balance with an equal force so as to make ineffective a pro-government rally that is intended to neutralize the antiwar demonstrations

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to assassinate

to put to death deliberately orders to find the renegade colonel and to neutralize him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of neutralize During last month's Águila Alta operation in the Tijuana-San Diego area, the defense ministry said Mexican forces neutralized five drones, detained one person and seized a gun, magazines and ammunition. — Armando Regil Velasco, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026 Hasan was paralyzed in the Fort Hood shooting when others, seeking to neutralize him, shot him four times. — Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 14 Oct. 2026 Adding a substance that neutralizes free radicals reduced clumping, suggesting that the radicals caused the damage. — Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 14 Oct. 2026 Antioxidants support health by neutralizing unstable molecules called free radicals that are produced in cells. — Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for neutralize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for neutralize

Verb

This cycle of price increases serves not only to offset immediate fuel price spikes, but also to make up for unadjusted pricing power lost in recent years due to flight overcapacity, fare suppression, and persistent inflation.

— , CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
But private developers and homeowners will want higher rents to offset their investments, especially because construction and labor costs have skyrocketed since the COVID-19 pandemic.

— Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of offset

Verb

Riehle made it to Broadway in 1986 with a role in the Emily Mann drama Execution of Justice, which centered on the trial of Dan White, who assassinated San Francisco mayor George Moscone and city supervisor Harvey Milk in 1978.

— Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 19 Oct. 2026
Earlier that year, King had been assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee.

— Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of assassinate

Verb

Ahead of a critical divisional matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night, the need to correct the problems sooner rather than later has become dire after a 2-4 start.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2026
Spotting where physical results diverge from computer models allows technical teams to correct their simulation software before committing to final prototype hardware.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of correct

Verb

Peltola, during a candidate forum Friday, became emotional speaking about the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people and said additional law enforcement resources are needed.

— Becky Bohrer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
Peltola, during a candidate forum Friday, became emotional speaking about the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous people and said additional law enforcement resources are needed.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of murder

Verb

The high court found that the administration had not demonstrated that the president was authorized to use regular military forces to execute federal laws or that those forces were unable to carry out the mission.

— Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Through it all, each member of the 11-person cast plays an instrument — or two or three or four — while toggling between characters, belting lyrics and executing Chi-San Howard’s enthralling choreography.

— Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of execute

Verb

Support for the populist had eroded since 16 people were killed in 2024 when a concrete canopy collapsed at a train station in Novi Sad.

— JOVANA GEC, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
The military campaign that ensued has killed more than 70,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 25 Oct. 2026