1. to surgically remove the claws from an animal, especially a cat
2. to remove the power or ability to harm from someone or something
Usage: figurative

Examples

• Many veterinarians refuse to declaw cats because it’s considered inhumane.
• The apartment complex required tenants to declaw their cats.
• Several countries have banned the practice of declawing pets.
• The new regulations will effectively declaw the corrupt organization.
• Critics argued that the reforms would declaw the agency’s enforcement power.
• The treaty was designed to declaw the aggressive nation’s military capabilities.