Definition

A substance or device that counteracts or cancels out the effects of something, making it neutral or less effective.

Example

The chemist used a neutralizer to balance the acidity of the solution.

Conversation

Hey, do you know what a neutralizer is?

Yeah, it’s something that can cancel out or balance other substances, right?

Exactly! I was reading about how they use neutralizers in chemistry experiments.

That's cool! It's amazing how they can change the outcome of a reaction.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Neutralizer → It is formed from "neutral" (from Latin "neutralis", meaning neither one thing nor the other) and "-izer" (a suffix used to indicate a person or thing that performs a specified action). The word "neutralizer" refers to something that makes a substance neutral or counteracts an effect.

Memory Tip

Think of something that makes things 'neither one thing nor the other' ('neutral') and acts to 'perform' that action ('-izer'). A neutralizer is something that balances or counteracts.

Visually Confused Words