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nerf

verb

  1. to tweak or weaken a component of a game
  2. to make something less effective
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Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /nɜːf/ / /nɝf/

noun

Etymology: From the Nerf brand of toys designed as non-dangerous counterparts of existing things, such as sports balls and guns. Originally used to equate a change in the damage of a weapon in a video game to a change from real weapons to Nerf weapons.

  1. The deterioration, weakening or worsening of a character, a weapon, a spell, etc.

verb

Etymology: From the Nerf brand of toys designed as non-dangerous counterparts of existing things, such as sports balls and guns. Originally used to equate a change in the damage of a weapon in a video game to a change from real weapons to Nerf weapons.

  1. To change a mechanic, an ability, or a character in a video game in order to make less efficacious.

    The lightning spell was originally pretty powerful, but in the sequel they nerfed it so it became completely useless.

  2. To arbitrarily limit or reduce the capability of.

    Tesla nerfs Autopilot in Europe due to new regulations