defang

verb

de·​fang (ˌ)dē-ˈfaŋ 

defanged; defanging; defangs

transitive verb

: to make harmless or less powerful

Examples of defang in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

It was seen as a way of defanging any potential investigation. — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

What threats are out there, and what are the league’s tactics to defang them? — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 8 Sep. 2026

Pugh, also a series executive producer, found the humanity inside of Cathy, says Kazan, without defanging one of literature’s most complicated psyches. — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 18 Aug. 2026

Hamas and Hezbollah remain stubbornly in place, with the latter maintaining its lethality, even as Iraqi militias — defying Baghdad’s attempts at defanging them — have launched attacks on America’s Persian Gulf allies. — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for defang

• harangue
• orang
• bang
• chuang
• clang
• dang
• drang
• fang
• gang
• gangue
• hang
• hange