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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
Some men smeared cedar sap on their faces in a vain effort to repel mosquitoes and deerflies. / Cbs News, CBS News, 13 June 2025 Cut daffodils secrete sap that prevents the tulip stems from absorbing water. Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
Manufacturers and retailers are expected to pass most of the fees to consumers through higher prices, sapping household buying power. Paul Davidson, USA Today, 14 May 2025 The remarks briefly sapped momentum from the surging stock market, but the rally later resumed, sending the S&P 500 and Nasdaq to fresh record highs. Ani Freedman, Fortune, 29 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for sap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sap
Noun
  • You are not only welcomed but encouraged to bring bold energy to all of these magical experiences!
    Essence, Essence, 6 July 2025
  • The legislation amounts to a repudiation of the agendas of the past two Democratic presidents, Barack Obama and Joe Biden, in rolling back Obama's Medicaid expansion under his signature health law and Biden's tax credits for renewable energy.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 5 July 2025
Noun
  • The reserve is heavily wooded with more than 25 tree species that are the domain of warblers, crows, wrens, hawks, woodpeckers, sap suckers, owls, bald eagles, vultures and great herons.
    John Tuohy, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
  • When my daughter and I are outside, these pesky blood suckers feast.
    Cheryl Fenton, Parents, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • Other dolls in the Fashionistas line include a blind Barbie who carries a cane, a Barbie with Down syndrome, and a Barbie who uses a wheelchair.
    Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 8 July 2025
  • Her patient that day last November used a cane, and Jiménez planned to park close so that her patient wouldn’t have to walk too far.
    Dave Altimari, ProPublica, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • There are plenty of reasons to pick up gardening as a hobby, from connecting with nature and soaking up vitamin D to reducing stress and improving cardiovascular health (weeding is no joke).
    Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 July 2025
  • Partnering with marine biologists and local stakeholders, the resort is helping nurse underwater ecosystems back to health.
    Ashlee Marie Preston, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is 86 years-old and his political power is weakened following the short war with Israel.
    Jackie Northam, NPR, 9 July 2025
  • The June jobs report showed strong headline numbers, but the underlying data pointed to a weakening labor market.
    Danny Bakst, Fortune, 9 July 2025
Noun
  • The findings revealed that micro-breaks were significantly associated with lower levels of fatigue and higher levels of vigor by the end of the day.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The weeds have returned with vigor since construction began on the north side because volunteers can’t get in until the work is completed, Mercer said.
    Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025
Noun
  • Juice takes the baton and continues his journey to hopefully discovering inner-peace.
    Michael Saponara, Billboard, 11 July 2025
  • Sangay, who took up the baton as the political leader of the exiled government, said that by making the transition to democracy the Dalai Lama wanted to ensure Tibetans can run the movement and the government on their own, even after he is gone.
    Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 3 July 2025
Noun
  • So the issue now is time — time needed to build back his arm strength.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2025
  • In America, excellence, grit, and determination is our strength.
    James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sap. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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