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# neutralize

«neutralize» in Mova's school dictionary: **To stop something from having an effect, so it no longer…** — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples, with 2 sentences of Mova's corpora that use it.

### part of speech

verb (neutralize, neutralizes, neutralized, neutralizing); UK also neutralise

### meaning for a pupil

1) To stop something from having an effect, so it no longer does harm. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/neutralize/#m1)

2) (science) To mix an acid with a base (alkali) so that the result is neither acid nor alkali. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/neutralize/#m2)

3) (formal, euphemism) In war or crime stories, to stop or kill an enemy. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/neutralize/#m3)

### sense in the lessons

In science lessons, toothpaste or baking soda neutralizes acid, and indigestion tablets neutralize stomach acid; you test with litmus paper or indicator. In games and stories a team neutralizes a threat. Phrases: neutralize an acid, neutralize a smell, neutralize the threat.

### examples

- Baking soda can neutralize vinegar. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/neutralize/#x1)
- We added alkali to neutralize the acid in the test tube. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/neutralize/#x2)
- Bee stings are acid, so some people use soap to neutralize them. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/neutralize/#x3)
- The charcoal neutralized the bad smell in the fridge. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/neutralize/#x4)
- The defender neutralized their best striker. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/neutralize/#x5)
- The soldiers were told to neutralize the threat. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/neutralize/#x6)

### note

US spelling neutralize, UK often neutralise. Noun: neutralization. Linked to «neutral» (in the middle, pH 7). Safety: never mix cleaning chemicals at home to «neutralize» them. Watch the euphemism: in war news «neutralize» can mean kill.

### In the corpora

- ["Neutralized" in official military or police talk means killed.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/euphemisms/2-death-official-and-slang/9/)
- ["Neutralize" in military talk means kill.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/euphemisms/25-spin-war-and-violence/14/)

### Trees and pragmatics

[Every meaning and example of «neutralize» parsed by Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/neutralize/), each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.