declaw

verb

de·​claw (ˌ)dē-ˈklȯ How to pronounce declaw (audio)
declawed; declawing; declaws

transitive verb

: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
My last cat was declawed when she was neutered, and this was never a problem. — Jane Sykes, Washington Post, 16 Feb. 2026 Deaths have occurred when owners decide to declaw their cats themselves. — The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026 Ban on cat declawing Declawing cats for nonmedical reasons is set to be prohibited statewide. — Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025 California is set to join a growing list of states banning the practice of cat declawing, under a new law taking effect in January. — Tim Fang, CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for declaw

Word History

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of declaw was in 1953

Rhymes for declaw

See All Rhymes for declaw

Browse Nearby Words

de clauso fracto
declaw
declension
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Declaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/declaw. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

declaw

transitive verb
de·​claw (ˌ)dē-ˈklȯ How to pronounce declaw (audio)
: to remove the claws of (a cat) usually with the nail matrix and all or part of the last bone of the toe
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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