What does neutralise mean?
To neutralise something is to make it neutral, especially by reducing or cancelling its power, influence, or effect. The verb is used figuratively when a statement, action, or compromise tempers conflict, opposition, or hostility, as in saying that mediation helped neutralise tensions. It also has specialised meanings in chemistry, where a substance may be used to remove acidity or alkalinity, and in colour theory, where an opposing colour makes another colour appear less intense. In political and diplomatic contexts, neutralise can mean rendering a person, organisation, or controversy impartial. The word is more formal than everyday alternatives such as calm down, but it is precise when describing the deliberate cancellation of a force, effect, threat, or disputed position. Its usefulness lies in expressing the restoration of balance or the removal of disruptive power.
verbTo make something neutral, especially by counteracting its effect or influence. It can also mean to remove the acidity or alkalinity of a substance or to render a political or military position impartial.
- To counteract or neutralise the effect, force, influence, or threat of something.
- To make someone or something impartial or free from party or factional allegiance.
- To make a substance chemically neutral, especially by removing acidity or alkalinity.
- To make a colour or visual effect less noticeable by counteracting it with an opposing colour.
"The ambassador's calm intervention helped neutralise the tensions between the two communities."
"A carefully worded statement helped neutralise the allegations without directly confronting the witnesses."
"Baking soda can neutralise the acidity in a tomato sauce."
One word can bring a dispute, a chemical reaction, or even a colour back to balance.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does neutralise come from?
The verb was formed in English by adding the suffix -ise to neutral. The adjective neutral comes through French neutre from Latin neuter, meaning neither masculine nor feminine and, by extension, taking no side. Related English words include neuter, neutrality, and neutrally, all of which reflect the same Latin root. The verb developed the more specific sense of counteracting a force or influence before acquiring its chemical and colour-related applications.
Related word forms
How neutralise is actually used
The spelling with s is standard in British and other Commonwealth English; US English normally uses the spelling neutralize. The word is formal and common in politics, law, chemistry, and discussions of colour, while also being used figuratively for counteracting a harmful effect.
Easily confused with neutralise
Neutral is an adjective or noun describing the absence of a distinctive stance, quality, or effect, whereas neutralise is a verb describing the act of making something neutral.
Nullify means to render something legally invalid, officially void, or without effect, while neutralise usually means to counteract a force, influence, reaction, or bias.