declawed
Stripped of talons
Declawed describes an animal, typically a cat, that has had its claws surgically removed.
The procedure is controversial—banned in many countries as inhumane since it amputates the last bone of each toe.
Figuratively, declawed means rendered harmless or stripped of power: The amendment left the bill declawed.
A declawed critic or opponent has lost their ability to do damage.
Open to attack
- defenselessWithout means to resist
- powerlessLacking strength or authority
- disarmedMade safe or captivated
- weakenedMade less capable
neutered · toothless · defanged · harmless · impotent · stripped · subdued · tamed
Small furry housepet
- scratchingRaking with nails
- pawsAnimal feet
- amputationSurgical limb removal
- indoorWithin a building
furniture · behavioral · felid · kitten · tomcat · housecat · digits · tendons
Invasive medical procedure
- anesthesiaInduced loss of feeling
- postoperativeAfter an operation
- complicationsDifficulties that emerge unexpectedly
- infectionPathogen invasion causing illness
hemorrhage · analgesics · sutures · incision · laser · recovery · bandages · veterinarian
Callously causing suffering
- cruelWillfully causing suffering
- controversialCausing public dispute
- bannedOfficially disallowed
- welfareComfort and prosperity
legislation · advocacy · prohibition · cruelty · activists · illegal · outlawed · condemned
vulnerable
Open to attack
- defenselessWithout means to resist
- powerlessLacking strength or authority
- disarmedMade safe or captivated
weakened · neutered · toothless · defanged · harmless · impotent · stripped · subdued · tamed · emasculated
cat
Small furry housepet
- scratchingRaking with nails
- pawsAnimal feet
- amputationSurgical limb removal
indoor · furniture · behavioral · felid · kitten · tomcat · housecat · digits · tendons
surgery
Invasive medical procedure
- anesthesiaInduced loss of feeling
- postoperativeAfter an operation
- complicationsDifficulties that emerge unexpectedly
infection · hemorrhage · analgesics · sutures · incision · laser · recovery · bandages · veterinarian · procedure
inhumane
Callously causing suffering
- cruelWillfully causing suffering
- controversialCausing public dispute
- bannedOfficially disallowed
welfare · legislation · advocacy · prohibition · cruelty · activists · illegal · outlawed · condemned
trimming
Cutting away excess
- sisalAgave-derived rope fiber
- enrichmentImprovement through addition