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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
Rosin bags are made from a sap that’s pulled from pine trees in Honduras, then boiled to distill out the turpentine. Jason Mastrodonato, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2025 The tree secretes gum arabic—a tasteless, nontoxic, pale-white or orange-brown sap that may be harvested at the end of the rainy season in sub-Saharan Africa. Erik Zou, JSTOR Daily, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
As research on authoritarian regimes shows, the goal of attacking independent institutions this way is to sap their capacity to resist the incumbent government’s attempts to cheat in future elections. Erica Frantz, The Conversation, 16 May 2025 The massive tariffs, along with lesser fees on other nations’ imports, were expected to sharply increase prices for U.S. consumers and sap their purchasing power, resulting in an unusual tandem of high inflation and slow growth, or stagflation. Paul Davidson, USA Today, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for sap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sap
Noun
  • These mental health challenges aren’t occurring just because women have multiple baby fathers and are mixing energies with multiple men.
    Essence, Essence, 23 June 2025
  • Not everyone has gotten the memo, but energy demand and production are set to increase tenfold over the next 20 years, heralding a new era.
    Clem Chambers, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • Just the luck of the draw, the bouncing balls, and thanks for your services, suckers….
    Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 12 June 2025
  • Yes, ultimately, Joe fell for the lie, but not like a sucker.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • The interiors were inspired by its serene setting in the Serengeti and showcase African art, a neutral color palette, and natural textures, such as linen, clay, grass, and cane.
    Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 23 June 2025
  • Black spot spores can overwinter on rose canes and leaves.
    Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2025
Noun
  • High nitrate levels in the water supply can have adverse health impacts on humans.
    Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 16 June 2025
  • While this term isn’t an official medical diagnosis, dermatologists use it to describe breakouts that sync up with hormonal fluctuations caused by a person’s menstrual cycle, heavy stress (thanks, cortisol), or a chronic health condition.
    Alisa Hrustic, SELF, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • Abandoning recognition can erode motivation, diminish engagement and make employees feel invisible, weakening the cultural fabric and undermining long-term resilience.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • But in an unexpected ruling in 2023, the Supreme Court declined an invitation to weaken Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.
    June 27, CBS News, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • Severe and repeated cases of scale can cause branches to die and reduce a tree’s overall vigor.
    Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
  • As Zidler, Petkoff portrays with vigor a self-serving weasel, albeit with a heart.
    Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 June 2025
Noun
  • Rena Frye, their mother, rushed to the defense of her sons; the police pinned her to a patrol vehicle, and the officers took a baton to Marquette.
    Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 14 June 2025
  • Hastings was in second place of the finale, the 4×400 meter relay, when Strauss got the baton for the final leg.
    Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • Oh talked about her star turn on Grey’s Anatomy before urging Dartmouth graduates to find inner strength and kindness towards themselves to overcome discomfort in their own lives.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2025
  • Knee push-ups can also be a good starting point depending on your current strength level.
    Jenny McCoy, SELF, 16 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sap. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on sap

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