defang

American  

[dee-fang] / diˈfæŋ /

verb (used with object)

1. to remove the fangs of.

   to defang a snake.

2. to cause to become less powerful or threatening; render harmless.

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Etymology

Origin of defang

First recorded in 1950–55; de- + fang ¹

Example Sentences

As Chrissie, Linney is a model of restraint, keeping her character’s counsel while subtly attempting to defang the resentments of the others.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 13, 2023

But Mr. McCarthy has been set on not replicating those mistakes, trying to defang his biggest detractors by rewarding them with committee chairmanships and powerful positions on the Rules Committee.

From New York Times • Jun. 7, 2023

Even a trade of queens doesn’t defang the White attack, as Nepo’s king marches up the board to join the fun.

From Washington Times • Apr. 18, 2023

Unionization, once a powerful weapon in the arsenal of the nation's workforce, looks to be making a comeback – at least marginally, after decades of declining membership and strong-arm tactics by management to defang it.

From Salon • Sep. 10, 2022

What better way to defang a secret society than to make public its most secret information?

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt