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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
This slows growth, destroys social trust, increases judgment and moralism, and saps societal happiness. Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 24 May 2026 This removes the sap from the outer petals, convincing the bud to open quickly. Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 May 2026
Verb
Democrats in control of the legislature warn that would hamstring other state priorities, like education and healthcare, by sapping money from the general fund. Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 13 May 2026 The conflict is not only sapping oil revenue, but also Gulf states’ efforts to expand their economies beyond it. Evan Halper, Washington Post, 10 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for sap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sap
Noun
  • If the superfund template survives, the next decade of American energy policy will be written by trial lawyers, attorneys general and a handful of out-of-state philanthropies bankrolling the litigation pipeline.
    Yaël Ossowski, Boston Herald, 30 May 2026
  • The Maoists’ shrinking realm sits atop rich veins of coal, iron, and bauxite – resources essential to India’s modernization and growing energy demands; Modi’s pledge to bring electricity to every household; and his broader ambition to transform India into a developed nation.
    Dhruv Tikekar, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
Noun
  • Details such as the relatively few suckers on its arms, its smooth skin, beak features and the coloring around its organs and parts of the mantle indicated a new species, now called Microeledone galapagensis.
    Jeanna Bryner, Scientific American, 24 May 2026
  • Trimming the suckers, from the first 2 feet above the ground, ensures the plant's energy is focused on the main vines and cucumbers, says Scott.
    SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 23 May 2026
Noun
  • Four were fishing with cane poles from a rickety dock.
    Byron W. Dalrymple, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026
  • They can also be seen around mountains, swamps, cane thickets, wooded stream corridors, and rural habitats.
    Jack Armstrong, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 3 June 2026
Noun
  • The actress started advocating for menopause and mid-life care in 2024 − after her doctor misdiagnosed her symptoms as herpes − and pushed for legislation to fund research and education in women’s health.
    Wendy Naugle, USA Today, 5 June 2026
  • Similar concerns were raised about the merger of the SAG and AFTRA health plans in 2017, which was followed by a significant curtailment in benefits a few years later.
    Gene Maddaus, Variety, 5 June 2026
Verb
  • The Reserve Bank of Australia will likely focus on the strength of private demand before factoring in the conflict, alongside inflation risks stemming from weak productivity and rising unit labor costs, according to Stenner, who expects household consumption to weaken in the second quarter.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 June 2026
  • Critics counter that scarcity alone does not guarantee value if investor demand weakens.
    Sharon Wu, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Noun
  • Reality is a system where prosecutorial vigor often correlates with public attention.
    Letters to the Editor, Hartford Courant, 28 May 2026
  • Squish the bags around with vigor and joy.
    CBS News, CBS News, 28 May 2026
Noun
  • According to the complaint, the same ICE officer had hit Scelfo twice in the leg with a baton during a physical altercation.
    Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 1 June 2026
  • To help pass the baton to new leaders more smoothly, businesses could think about giving younger leaders strategic responsibility earlier in their careers, supporting senior leaders to act in a coaching or sponsor capacity, or pushing more decisions to frontline teams and their managers.
    David Morel, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Noun
  • At the same time, a 12-month clinical trial out of Penn State just confirmed that eating prunes daily can help preserve bone strength in postmenopausal women.
    Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2026
  • But strength and resilience aren't just themes in her magazine.
    Mikayla Price, CBS News, 4 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sap. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.

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