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

Now that they are defanged, these countries’ remaining afflictions don’t threaten Americans or occupy the attention of senior U.S. national security officials.

From The Wall Street Journal

In recent days, housing industry lobbyists have internally noted the seeming permissiveness of that exemption and others as potential tools for defanging the investor ban, said people familiar with the matter.

From Barron's

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

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From Salon

Digital rights campaigners, Foxglove, said it showed the CMA had been "defanged."

From BBC