defang

verb

de·​fang (ˌ)dē-ˈfaŋ How to pronounce defang (audio)
defanged; defanging; defangs

transitive verb

: to make harmless or less powerful

Examples of defang in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Yet neutralizing the group that has killed hundreds of Americans and has been designated as a terrorist organization for as long as the State Department has maintained an official list would help defang Iran and bring more stability to the region. The Editors, National Review, 25 Sep. 2024 The premier place for online debate, a forum where new ideas could spring up has been defanged. Callum Booth, Forbes, 15 Sep. 2024 Combined with the 1971 law that removed the Comstock Act’s language about contraception, Roe defanged the already-dormant monster—but the provision was never repealed. Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 12 Sep. 2024 While Russian civil society has largely been defanged under Putin, the treatment of conscripts is still a sensitive issue for families. Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 16 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for defang 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'defang.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of defang was in 1919

Dictionary Entries Near defang

Cite this Entry

“Defang.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defang. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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