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sap

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word sap distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of sap are cripple, debilitate, disable, enfeeble, undermine, and weaken. While all these words mean "to lose or cause to lose strength or vigor," undermine and sap suggest a weakening by something working surreptitiously and insidiously.

a poor diet undermines your health
drugs had sapped his ability to think

In what contexts can cripple take the place of sap?

While the synonyms cripple and sap are close in meaning, cripple implies causing a serious loss of functioning power through damaging or removing an essential part or element.

crippled by arthritis

When can debilitate be used instead of sap?

The words debilitate and sap are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, debilitate suggests a less marked or more temporary impairment of strength or vitality.

the debilitating effects of surgery

When would disable be a good substitute for sap?

The words disable and sap can be used in similar contexts, but disable suggests bringing about impairment or limitation in a physical or mental ability.

disabled by an injury sustained at work

When might enfeeble be a better fit than sap?

While in some cases nearly identical to sap, enfeeble implies a condition of marked weakness and helplessness.

enfeebled by starvation

Where would weaken be a reasonable alternative to sap?

In some situations, the words weaken and sap are roughly equivalent. However, weaken may imply loss of physical strength, health, soundness, or stability or of quality, intensity, or effective power.

a disease that weakens the body's defenses

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of sap
Noun
In practice, the sensor’s microneedles would penetrate the plant tissue and detect hydrogen peroxide without the need to gather leaf sap extractions. Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 19 Mar. 2025 Standout ingredients responsible for these benefits include bamboo sap water, green tea extract, gooseberry, and jackfruit extract — forming a natural dream team of sorts. Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 12 Feb. 2025
Verb
That’s no disrespect to the actor, but Daniel’s presence saps time away from characters who desperately need more development. Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 28 May 2025 The measure is backed by environmental interests and others who say the companies building large data centers and other businesses that sap energy resources should pay more, instead of having the burden fall on homeowners and small-business users. Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for sap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sap
Noun
  • Lembas has plans beyond GLP-1 Edge to produce other ingredients that can impact wellbeing like sleep and energy.
    Andrew Watman, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • Known for their unmatched energy and vibe, the Super Lounges bring audiences deeper into the music, delivering raw, unforgettable sets in a more personal setting.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 10 June 2025
Noun
  • What the Nuggets need to do is find a sucker who is willing to talk themselves into the remaining $79 million over two years owed to Porter, while sending back a couple of quality role players.
    Zach Harper, New York Times, 19 May 2025
  • Peppers that produce large fruit should only be lightly pruned to remove unproductive suckers, but smaller-fruited pepper plants can be pruned a little more aggressively to boost airflow and branching.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • Carrying a wooden cane, Camus led Yarvin through the small town of Plieux.
    Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
  • The look was elevated with a matching fur stole and a cane, accessories that nodded to the opulence of Black Dandyism.
    Jailynn Taylor, Essence, 8 May 2025
Noun
  • New research suggests just one cup of beans daily could lower heart health markers or inflammation in people with prediabetes.
    Sarah Garone, Health, 5 June 2025
  • The total could be much more: A special message sent to lawmakers outlines as much as $900 million in rescissions to global health.
    Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • Bias, inaccuracies and missing values can all weaken model reliability.
    Tor Constantino, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
  • Coercing democratic allies such as Canada or Denmark more broadly weakens trust in U.S. alliances; threatening Panama reawakens fears of imperialism throughout Latin America; crippling the U.S. Agency for International Development undercuts the United States’ reputation for benevolence.
    Robert O. Keohane, Foreign Affairs, 2 June 2025
Noun
  • That offensive stance has stood firm even as the stock market continues to be whipsawed by President Donald Trump’s tariff policies that change on a dime, while worries deepen about the vigor of the economy.
    Yun Li, CNBC, 30 May 2025
  • Micro-breaks, even as short as a few minutes, significantly boost vigor and reduce fatigue, though longer breaks have a greater positive impact on performance.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
Noun
  • When funding for these circulars came to an end, Fred picked up the eclipse baton and with the help of Canadian meteorologist Jay Anderson, produced their own eclipse circulars, funded under the auspices of NASA.
    Joe Rao, Space.com, 3 June 2025
  • YoungBoy takes the baton and aims at his detractors.
    Michael Saponara, Billboard, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • On the services side, leisure and hospitality (38,000) and financial activities (20,000) provided some signs of strength.
    Jeff Cox, CNBC, 4 June 2025
  • Rather than demanding Arab and Muslim partners choose sides, Trump understands that a prosperous Gulf can engage from strength.
    Jason D. Greenblatt, semafor.com, 4 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sap. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.

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