sap

1 of 2

verb (1)

sapped; sapping

transitive verb

1

: to drain or deprive of sap

2

: to knock out with a sap

sap

2 of 2

verb (2)

sapped; sapping

intransitive verb

: to proceed by digging a sap

transitive verb

1

: to subvert by digging or eroding the substratum or foundation : undermine

2

a

: to gradually diminish the supply or intensity of

sapped her patience

b

: to weaken or exhaust the energy or vitality of

the illness sapped him of his stamina

3

: to operate against or pierce by a sap

Synonyms of sap

Verb (1)

• weaken
• waste
• soften

Choose the Right Synonym for sap

weaken, enfeeble, debilitate, undermine, sap, disable mean to lose or cause to lose strength or vigor.

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

enfeeble implies a condition of marked weakness and helplessness.

enfeebled by starvation

debilitate suggests a less marked or more temporary impairment of strength or vitality.

the debilitating effects of surgery

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

disable suggests bringing about impairment or limitation in a physical or mental ability.

disabled by an injury sustained at work

Examples of sap in a Sentence

Verb (1)

weeks of hard work had sapped her and left her exhausted

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

But years of water use that outpaced the Colorado River’s shrinking flows have, over the past two decades, sapped the reservoir’s water stores and created an existential crisis for water managers across the basin, home to 40 million people. —Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 7 June 2026

With the World Cup kickoff just over a week away, climate scientists are warning that heat could be an invisible opponent, slowing play at open-air venues like Kansas City Stadium (Arrowhead Stadium), sapping players’ legs and testing fans in sweltering conditions. —Kansas City Star, 4 June 2026

In addition, cauliflower is a heavy feeder that can sap the soil of vital nutrients. —Felicia Feaster, Martha Stewart, 4 June 2026

Spot-clean any dirt spots, bird droppings, or sap as soon as possible to keep them from etching the surface. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 30 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb (2)

Middle French sapper, from Old Italian zappare, from zappa hoe

First Known Use

Verb (1)

1725, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1598, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing sap

• cell sap
• nuclear sap
• sap green
• verb sap
• verbum sap

Rhymes for sap

• app
• cap
• chap
• clap
• crap
• flap
• frap
• gap
• hap
• lap
• nap
• nappe

Kids Definition

sap

1 of 2 noun

ˈsap 

1

: the fluid part of a plant

especially : a watery solution that circulates through a higher plant and carries food and nutrients

2

: bodily health and vigor : vitality sense 3b

3

: a foolish person who is easily tricked or cheated

sap

2 of 2 verb

sapped; sapping

1

: undermine sense 2

heavy waves sapped the seawall

2

: to weaken gradually

illness sapped my strength

Medical Definition

sap

see cell sap, nuclear sap