as in nullifying
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
1
as in offsetting
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
2
as in assassinating
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 neutralizing
Brian Winter, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Baking Soda As an alkaline compound, baking soda is skilled at neutralizing odors.
—Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 12 Dec. 2025
From there, researchers could comb through the libraries to identify any broadly neutralizing nanobodies.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 29 Oct. 2025
Palivizumab bound to the prefusion and postfusion F proteins, but the most strongly neutralizing antibodies against RSV were those that only targeted the virus’s prefusion structure.
—Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 23 Sep. 2025
Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Feb. 2026
The Israel Defense Forces conducted approximately 80 brigade-level counterterrorism operations over the past year in the West Bank — known to Israelis as Judea and Samaria — neutralizing hundreds of terrorists and seizing more than 1,300 weapons, according to data released by the military.
—Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The in-shower treatment bolsters shine and intense hydration, while neutralizing discoloration.
—Ruby McAuliffe, InStyle, 21 Jan. 2026
By capturing and using the static electricity in compressed air, this system offers a sustainable way to generate electricity while also neutralizing hazardous charges that pose safety risks.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 12 Jan. 2026
Baking soda works by absorbing odors and neutralizing musty, acidic smells from mildew, mold, and bacteria.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026
The vitamin also acts as an antioxidant, helping to keep immune cells healthy by neutralizing free radicals, which are molecules found in harmful substances like pollution, cigarette smoke, and radiation that can damage cells and DNA.
—Danielle Zickl, Health, 5 Dec. 2025
In November, Californians passed Proposition 50, which shifts the state’s map to be more conducive to Democratic candidates, therefore possibly neutralizing the Texas plan.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
In addition, biofilms impose a physical barrier that restricts what crosses its border, such that saliva can no longer do its job of neutralizing acid as well.
—Jacqueline Abranches, The Conversation, 2 Dec. 2025
Adjective
By partly neutralizing criticism that its leaders are elitist or antidemocratic, the right has been able to focus on issues that play to its strengths.
—Brian Winter, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Baking Soda As an alkaline compound, baking soda is skilled at neutralizing odors.
—Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 12 Dec. 2025
From there, researchers could comb through the libraries to identify any broadly neutralizing nanobodies.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 29 Oct. 2025
Palivizumab bound to the prefusion and postfusion F proteins, but the most strongly neutralizing antibodies against RSV were those that only targeted the virus’s prefusion structure.
—Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
Fabric softener counteracts those negative charges, neutralizing them.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Feb. 2026
The Israel Defense Forces conducted approximately 80 brigade-level counterterrorism operations over the past year in the West Bank — known to Israelis as Judea and Samaria — neutralizing hundreds of terrorists and seizing more than 1,300 weapons, according to data released by the military.
—Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The in-shower treatment bolsters shine and intense hydration, while neutralizing discoloration.
—Ruby McAuliffe, InStyle, 21 Jan. 2026
By capturing and using the static electricity in compressed air, this system offers a sustainable way to generate electricity while also neutralizing hazardous charges that pose safety risks.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 12 Jan. 2026
Baking soda works by absorbing odors and neutralizing musty, acidic smells from mildew, mold, and bacteria.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026
The vitamin also acts as an antioxidant, helping to keep immune cells healthy by neutralizing free radicals, which are molecules found in harmful substances like pollution, cigarette smoke, and radiation that can damage cells and DNA.
—Danielle Zickl, Health, 5 Dec. 2025
In November, Californians passed Proposition 50, which shifts the state’s map to be more conducive to Democratic candidates, therefore possibly neutralizing the Texas plan.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
In addition, biofilms impose a physical barrier that restricts what crosses its border, such that saliva can no longer do its job of neutralizing acid as well.
—Jacqueline Abranches, The Conversation, 2 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for neutralizing
Verb
-
The report identifies three massive, offsetting policy developments as the primary drivers of this fiscal deterioration.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Because big, gas-guzzling trucks are very profitable, that's been a boost to automakers' bottom lines, partially offsetting the higher costs from tariffs.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Harry Jacobs, who was recently named head of the office's criminal division, was also involved in the prosecution of Vance Boelter, the man accused of assassinating former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Days later, Trump, much to the surprise of even his own advisers, responded by assassinating Iran’s top military commander, Qassem Soleimani, in Iraq.—
Karim Sadjadpour,
The Atlantic,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Rippon says the new study may be a step toward correcting that legacy.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Braces were then tweaked over the following decades as scientists figured out how teeth moved, grew, and best reacted to smile-correcting technology.—
Sara Kiley Watson,
Popular Science,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Though Ronald Heath was charged with murdering Hammett, prosecutors ended up dropping the prosecution when Kenneth changed his mind and decided not to testify against his brother again, saying his life had been threatened.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
-
In 2025 Erin Patterson, a 51-year-old Australian woman, was sentenced to life in prison for murdering three relatives and trying to kill another by intentionally feeding them a beef Wellington that included poisonous fungi in the ingredients.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
OpenAI is now offering agents that are more about automating workflows—logging into applications, executing tasks, and managing tasks without much human hand-holding.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Wednesday’s cuts are the culmination of years of difficult industry-wide headwinds, damaging ownership decisions, leadership mismanagement, and turnover that kept the Post from developing and executing goals.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Imagine our surprise when the new South Florida resident popped up at the Sports Illustrated show at Miami Swim Week in June, slaying the catwalk like a boss.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
27 Dec. 2025
-
Now, the roles are reversed and he’s tasked with slaying the giant.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
18 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
On Tuesday morning, Russian planes dropped seven powerful glide bombs on Sloviansk, in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, killing an 11-year-old girl and her mother, according to regional chief Vadym Filashkin.—
EMMA BURROWS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Prosecutors say Brian Walton of Los Angeles was a stranger to Claudia Guevara, but he’s accused of killing the woman, then 23.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Neutralizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/neutralizing. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
