Defanged

To render something harmless or less dangerous by removing or weakening its capacity to cause harm. This can be literal, referring to the removal of fangs from an animal, or figurative, describing the reduction of something's power, influence, or threat. The process aims to diminish the potential for aggression, conflict, or damage. Defanging often involves altering the core nature or structure of something to make it safer or more manageable, effectively stripping away its most potent weapons or advantages, and making the subject less menacing, formidable, or virulent.

Defanged meaning with examples

• The zookeeper, concerned for the safety of the staff, decided to defang the newly acquired venomous snake. This involved a careful surgical procedure to remove the snake's fangs, eliminating its ability to inject poison. After the procedure, the snake could still bite, but the potential for a life-threatening outcome was significantly reduced. This made the snake a less dangerous inhabitant for the zoo’s enclosure, making handling much easier for the animal care experts.
• Following the merger, the new management team worked to defang the union, gradually reducing its bargaining power through negotiations and policy changes. This involved limiting the scope of collective bargaining and implementing individual contracts that bypassed union oversight. The aim was to weaken the union's ability to strike or cause labor disruptions, protecting the company’s bottom line. This strategy sparked considerable controversy among the workforce.
• The government proposed a bill to defang the powerful lobbying groups by imposing stricter regulations on campaign financing and limiting the access lobbyists had to elected officials. This aimed to curtail the undue influence of wealthy individuals and corporations on policy decisions, creating a more level playing field. This initiative faced fierce opposition from those groups, who argued it infringed on their freedom of speech and advocacy.
• The author decided to defang his controversial novel's ending by introducing a more optimistic resolution in the revised edition. The original ending was considered too bleak and pessimistic, and he thought it could potentially incite readers. The revision retained much of the original text but provided a glimpse of hope, making the book less likely to provoke negative reactions and helping him sell more copies.