declaw
verb
de·claw
(ˌ)dē-ˈklȯ 
declawed; declawing; declaws
: to remove the claws of (an animal, such as a cat) surgically
Examples of declaw in a Sentence
We had our cats declawed.
Recent Examples on the Web
The support for the measure that would declaw a landmark criminal justice reform law credited with keeping low-level offenders out of overcrowded prisons has even found support from Antioch Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe.
—
Hema Sivanandam, The Mercury News, 27 Sep. 2024
To get circus animals to perform and minimize the threat of an attack, there have been cases of cruel measures: declawing, drugging, electric-prodding and taking out teeth.
—Bryan West, USA TODAY, 23 Apr. 2024
While there are catfights aplenty, most come off as perfunctory and declawed.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024
Those in possession of exotic animals often attempt to change the animal, using tactics such as confining them to a small space, chaining them up, declawing and removing teeth, according to Born Free USA.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for declaw 
Hema Sivanandam, The Mercury News, 27 Sep. 2024
To get circus animals to perform and minimize the threat of an attack, there have been cases of cruel measures: declawing, drugging, electric-prodding and taking out teeth.
—Bryan West, USA TODAY, 23 Apr. 2024
While there are catfights aplenty, most come off as perfunctory and declawed.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024
Those in possession of exotic animals often attempt to change the animal, using tactics such as confining them to a small space, chaining them up, declawing and removing teeth, according to Born Free USA.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for declaw
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'declaw.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near declaw
Cite this Entry
“Declaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/declaw. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
declaw
transitive verb
de·claw
(ˌ)dē-ˈklȯ
: to remove the claws of (a cat) usually with the nail matrix and all or part of the last bone of the toe
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