as in weak
lacking bodily strength
I was completely sapped after the first day of hauling logs
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in weakened
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
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Recent Examples of sapped
ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
Now, as a 30-something man who long since had the creativity sapped out of him by life, this was mildly frustrating at first.
—Ian Stokes, Space.com, 5 Apr. 2026
De-stress on the daily Whether we're being sapped by parenting decisions, job hunting, health troubles or world weariness, many of us could use a charge to our internal battery, says clinical psychologist Enmanuel Mercedes, who counsels many (often exhausted) parents.
—Andee Tagle, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
Yet that was when all its momentum was sapped in an instant, as Salem’s senior defensive stopper, Mesa, stole an inbounds pass to regain possession for the Witches – and prevent Hanover from attempting a shot that could have tied or won the game.
—Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 15 Mar. 2026
At this point, the past few debilitating weeks have sapped the energy of the most chatty members.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 12 Mar. 2026
The Aggies like to play a small lineup since some early-season injuries sapped the team of some frontcourt depth.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 28 Feb. 2026
And in the last quarter-century, relentless drought intensified by climate change has sapped the river’s flow and left its giant reservoirs severely depleted.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Her happiness became tethered to results that never came and social media pressure that sapped her self-worth.
—Zak Keefer, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
Jacobs stopped recording a few years ago as worsening health problems sapped his desire to go out and see concerts.
—ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
Now, as a 30-something man who long since had the creativity sapped out of him by life, this was mildly frustrating at first.
—Ian Stokes, Space.com, 5 Apr. 2026
De-stress on the daily Whether we're being sapped by parenting decisions, job hunting, health troubles or world weariness, many of us could use a charge to our internal battery, says clinical psychologist Enmanuel Mercedes, who counsels many (often exhausted) parents.
—Andee Tagle, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
Yet that was when all its momentum was sapped in an instant, as Salem’s senior defensive stopper, Mesa, stole an inbounds pass to regain possession for the Witches – and prevent Hanover from attempting a shot that could have tied or won the game.
—Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 15 Mar. 2026
At this point, the past few debilitating weeks have sapped the energy of the most chatty members.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 12 Mar. 2026
The Aggies like to play a small lineup since some early-season injuries sapped the team of some frontcourt depth.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 28 Feb. 2026
And in the last quarter-century, relentless drought intensified by climate change has sapped the river’s flow and left its giant reservoirs severely depleted.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Her happiness became tethered to results that never came and social media pressure that sapped her self-worth.
—Zak Keefer, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sapped
Adjective
-
This time, economists say the job market and consumer spending are weaker, and there are no large government stimulus checks being issued to spur demand.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Fortune,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Then, a strong hit by Sennecke on fellow rookie Michael Misa gave way to a weak clearing attempt by former King Tyler Toffoli.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday proposed weakened rules governing the safe disposal of ash produced by burning coal.—
Michael Phillis,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
-
But these strengths are being weakened by leadership that has failed to prioritize affordability and competitiveness.—
Randy Altschuler,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
For Bravo, race has always been that lingering chink in its armor — and the latest burgeoning Summer House drama threatens to continue to chip away at the network’s feeble defense against claims of racial insensitivity.—
Shamira Ibrahim,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Apr. 2026
-
After that provocative setup, Dream Scenario unfortunately devolved into a feeble, simplistic cancel-culture satire.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Richter’s market has proved durable even as demand for postwar painting has softened at the top end.—
Daniel Cassady,
ARTnews.com,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The light softened toward sunset, an evening echo of the same violet sky that hovered over Julian at the start of the day.—
Josh Jackson,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This latest denial likely closes the door for Williams to open a dispensary at the Broadway location — having exhausted most administrative routes.—
Hannah Elsmore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
-
In one panel, children maimed or exhausted by labor stare out bleakly; in another, unemployed men in a small industrial town sit or stand around.—
Judith Shulevitz,
The Atlantic,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Add in the millions upon millions in wasted and unaccounted-for tax dollars exposed by devastating legislative audits.—
Torrey Snow,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Apr. 2026
-
But without putting more effort — and money — into stabilizing rural health care systems now, that long-term investment could be wasted.—
Lisa Jarvis,
Twin Cities,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sapped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sapped. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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