1. removes the fangs from (a snake or other venomous animal)
2. removes the power or threat from something; makes harmless
Usage: figurative

Examples

• The zoo defangs venomous snakes for safety demonstrations.
• The veterinarian defangs the cobra before the educational program.
• The new legislation defangs the controversial policy.
• Critics argue the amendment defangs the original bill.
• The scandal defangs his political influence.
• The company’s response defangs customer complaints.
• The compromise defangs both sides’ strongest arguments.