Godan verb, transitive verb

  1. to chip (off), to shave (off), to slice (off), to sharpen.
  2. to dampen (e.g. enthusiasm), to discourage, to weaken, to reduce. Usually written with kana alone.

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
 
削ぐ そぐ
 
殺ぐ そぐ

Contained Kanji Breakdown

plane, sharpen, whittle
けず.る サク そ.ぐ (8th, N1)
resemblance
ショウ あやか.る (9th, N1)
month, moon
つき ゲツ ガツ (1st, N5)
knife, standing sword radical (no. 18)
トウ