Synonyms for neutralize
Most common
counteract counterbalance balance compensate nullify negate do in kill
Synonyms by meaning
Verb
1. Counteract — to make (something) even, inactive or ineffective
counteract, counterbalance, balance, compensate, counterpoise, countervail, counterweigh, off-set
Definitions
- v. 1
To make (something) even, inactive or ineffective.
The antidote neutralized the toxin.
- v. 2
To make (a territory, etc.) politically neutral.
- v. 3
To make (an acidic or alkaline substance) chemically neutral.
- v. 4
To kill.
Related words
- Word family
- neutralization
- Other spellings
- neutralise UK
Forms
- Past participle
- neutralized
e.g. neutralized → counteracted, counterbalanced, balanced, compensated…
Example sentences
- compensate Expensive meals can't compensate for lack of sleep.
- counteract Reality and dreams counteract each other.
- counterbalance I don't exercise enough to counterbalance the amount of calories I take in.
- countervail What will countervail the power of the crown?
- nullify This contract will nullify all preceding contracts.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| neutralize | steady | |
| compensate | steady | |
| counteract | steady | |
| counterbalance | steady | |
| countervail | falling | |
| negate | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- kill1, undo2
- 5 letters
- waste1
- 6 letters
- cancel2, negate2
- 7 letters
- balance2, nullify3
- 8 letters
- abrogate3
- 9 letters
- eliminate4, liquidate3
- 10 letters
- compensate3, counteract3, invalidate4
- 11 letters
- countervail3
- 12 letters
- counterpoise, counterweigh
- 14 letters
- counterbalance4
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (undo2 = 2 syllables).
In other languages
- Français
- neutraliser
- Italiano
- neutralizzare