defang

[dee-fang]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of defang¹

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

Example Sentences

Israel defanged Iran and its most powerful militia allies, Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, removing major threats.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

At this edition, the Americans functionally defanged a notoriously difficult course.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But “F1” is not merely safe, it’s been defanged and neutered — it doesn’t even bark!

Read more on Salon

He's not only attempting to defang the term of its political potency, but also to project his own role on Jan. 6 onto Democrats.

Read more on Salon

Accompanying the raid were dozens of airstrikes that obliterated major military installations across Syria — all part of an Israeli campaign to preemptively defang Syria’s new authorities.

Read more on Los Angeles Times