neutralize vs counteract

neutralize and counteract both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
neutralize	No	No	Yes	No
counteract	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, neutralize and counteract are synonyms defined as:

neutralize and counteract: oppose and mitigate the effects of by contrary actions

Other synonyms of neutralize include counterbalance, countervail.

neutralize (verb)	counteract (verb)
make chemically neutral	act in opposition to
make ineffective by counterbalancing the effect of	destroy property or hinder normal operations
make incapable of military action	oppose or check by a counteraction
get rid of (someone who may be a threat) by killing	oppose and mitigate the effects of by contrary actions
make politically neutral and thus inoffensive
oppose and mitigate the effects of by contrary actions