1
as in energy
active strength of body or mind
a child full of sap and vivacity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sucker
one who is easily deceived or cheated
some poor sap would probably fall for that telephone scam
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in cane
a heavy rigid stick used as a weapon or for punishment
the sadistic prison guards freely used their saps to enforce discipline
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in health
the condition of being sound in body
I may no longer have the sap of youth, but I do have the sapience that comes only with advanced years
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to weaken
to diminish the physical strength of
weeks of hard work had sapped her and left her exhausted
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Sarah Henry, The Courier-Journal, 8 July 2025
Learn about the original sugar makers, search for sap by lantern light in the sugarbush, and enjoy maple cocktails and cooking demonstrations.
—Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Jennifer Lind, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
And even if Xi succeeded on the battlefield, the cost might be high: China could become an international pariah, its economy sapped by sanctions, and its security forces saddled with a new, taxing mission of maintaining control of a restive Taiwan.
—Tyler Jost, Foreign Affairs, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sap
Noun
Their raucous party is how most have come to know them, but while underground, cicadas spend the majority of their time feeding and counting the years through the ebb and flow of sap with the seasons.
—Sarah Henry, The Courier-Journal, 8 July 2025
Learn about the original sugar makers, search for sap by lantern light in the sugarbush, and enjoy maple cocktails and cooking demonstrations.
—Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Verb
The Trump administration sees the previous U.S. strategy—which aimed to build and maintain a global order led by the United States—as a misguided effort that has sapped U.S. power.
—Jennifer Lind, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
And even if Xi succeeded on the battlefield, the cost might be high: China could become an international pariah, its economy sapped by sanctions, and its security forces saddled with a new, taxing mission of maintaining control of a restive Taiwan.
—Tyler Jost, Foreign Affairs, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sap
Noun
-
China unveiled a new national energy law at the beginning of 2025 to coordinate its many energy-centric efforts.—
Ariel Cohen,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Instead, the real meat on the bones is secondary tariffs of 100% on importers of Russian energy, such as India and China, who indirectly provide the Kremlin with tens of billions of dollars that finance its war effort.—
Daniel DePetris,
Time,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Be prepared for the inevitable by having these throat-soothing suckers in stock.—
Alex Apatoff,
People.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Muscles contract to reduce water pressure inside the sucker.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
28 June 2025
Noun
-
These toads are a non-native species introduced to control sugar cane pests almost a century ago.—
Lois K. Solomon,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Raised in a small town in Puebla, Mexico, her parents grew sugar cane to support a family that struggled financially.—
Olivia Cyrus,
Sacbee.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The agency notes that extreme heat contributes to more than 700 deaths annually across the U.S. Rising temperatures can also worsen ground-level ozone pollution, potentially compounding existing health risks.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Outside health experts were immediately concerned by the move.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
For Trump, whose political brand has long relied on projecting authenticity to his base, a sustained decline in honesty ratings could weaken his ability to roll out his agenda.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Aug. 2025
-
This means banana particles can remain between teeth for an extended period, giving bacteria more time to produce acids that weaken tooth enamel.14 6.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Verywell Health,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Microsoft has emphasized the risks in remaining on Windows 10 with the same vigor as the benefits in moving to Windows 11.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
-
Floratam, a variety marketed for more than 40 years, is the most popular being a traditional St. Augustine with lots of vigor.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 July 2025
Noun
-
The motion asked for the court to hold the city in contempt of court, saying LAPD officers hit journalists with batons and arrested them in violation of the court's previous order.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Now, more than a decade later and after years of work together, Nathan is handing the baton to Rogers.—
Imani Cruzen,
Twin Cities,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Europe’s traditionally weaker economies have outperformed the core countries in recent years, and now nations like Spain, Italy, and Portugal as well as Greece can borrow at the same costs as France and Germany, a sign both of their strength and the European giants’ weakness.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Everything will depend on this – the Russians factor in American strength.—
Franco Ordoñez,
NPR,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sap. Accessed 24 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share