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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But cuteness adds a touch of whimsical absurdity that further defangs the power hungry. Yii-Jan Lin, The Conversation, 11 Apr. 2025 Antihistamines work by defanging histamine, the main chemical responsible for the miserable milieu of allergy symptoms. Erica Sloan, SELF, 2 Apr. 2025 The thought was that to meet something with a laugh was the same thing as defanging it, a fearful humor inflated with American self-importance. Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2025 Rust also highlighted recent work by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that remains in jeopardy or has been stopped altogether as the Trump administration defangs the agency. J.j. McCorvey, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for defang

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of defang was in 1919

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Defang.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defang. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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