What does it mean to neutralize something?

Neutralize means to make something harmless or ineffective. For example, if you neutralize an acid, it will no longer be corrosive and will not cause harm. Similarly, if you neutralize a virus, it will no longer be able to infect cells and cause disease.

In the context of chemistry, neutralization refers to the process of adding a base to an acid to form a salt and water. This reaction is called neutralization because it neutralizes the acidic properties of the acid, making it less reactive and less likely to cause harm.

In other contexts, such as in discussions of conflict resolution or social issues, neutralize can also refer to the process of removing bias or prejudice from a situation or decision-making process. For example, a mediator might try to neutralize a biased perspective by listening to all sides of an argument and seeking common ground.