Nerfed

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Reduced in strength or power, especially a game character, weapon or item that has been altered by its developers to be less effective ; made less forceful or less damaging through a deliberate adjustment
2. Having had its power or potency lowered, typically by a change to a video game or product ; diminished in effect through a planned modification that makes it milder or less harmful
3. Weakened in force, often by the designers of a game or system adjusting it to be less overpowered ; softened or made less severe by a intentional alteration

Etymology: "Nerfed" is the past tense of "nerf," a verb meaning to weaken something, especially a video game character, weapon or ability, so that it is less powerful than before. The verb takes its name from Nerf, the brand of foam and soft plastic toys made by Hasbro, which were designed as harmless versions of everyday dangerous objects such as sports balls and toy guns. The link to gaming came through a simple comparison. When a game developer reduced a weapon's damage, players joked that the real weapon had been swapped for a Nerf one, a toy that could sting but not really hurt. The joke spread through gaming communities, and the verb grew out of it, so a weapon that was once a lethal tool in a game became a soft, harmless version of itself.

Synonyms: weaken, diminish, reduce, dampen, soften

Antonyms: buff, boost, strengthen, enhance, improve