as in weakening
to diminish the physical strength of
weeks of hard work had sapped her and left her exhausted
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in draining
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 sapping
Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 8 Dec. 2024
The setbacks certainly had a way of sapping a team’s spirit.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 24 Nov. 2024
If so, the mania described by Chow might result in abundant information and even progress, but not progress of the kind that protects the wealth of producers the world over from the theft that is inflation, and the economy-sapping uncertainty that is currency volatility.
—John Tamny, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
Declining consumer confidence is sapping demand for combustion-engine cars.
—Stefan Nicola, Fortune Europe, 30 Sep. 2024
Adjective
And if Alabama cancels marquee matchups, other SEC schools will assuredly follow — potentially sapping the sport of must-see intersectional duels that energize the September competition calendar.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 8 Dec. 2024
The setbacks certainly had a way of sapping a team’s spirit.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 24 Nov. 2024
If so, the mania described by Chow might result in abundant information and even progress, but not progress of the kind that protects the wealth of producers the world over from the theft that is inflation, and the economy-sapping uncertainty that is currency volatility.
—John Tamny, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
Declining consumer confidence is sapping demand for combustion-engine cars.
—Stefan Nicola, Fortune Europe, 30 Sep. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sapping
Verb
-
Moffett also said artificial intelligence isn’t driving an upgrade cycle as hoped, noting that there is weakening demand in China along with antitrust concerns.—
Jason Gewirtz,
CNBC,
8 Jan. 2025
-
With high expectations for future new orders along with expanding current new orders, the outlooks for material handling and supply chain industries are positive, despite some weakening in the December MHI BAI report.—
Jason Schenker,
Forbes,
7 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
An iron deficiency may lead to nail changes such as softening and weakness.—
Carrie Madormo, RN,
Health,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Another indicator of a softening economy is Industrial Production.—
Robert Barone,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
No cause of death information was released, but Ralphs had been bed-ridden since suffering a debilitating stroke days after a Bad Company show — ultimately his last — at London’s O2 Arena on Oct. 29, 2016.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
24 June 2025
-
The scheduling announcement comes as the U.S. and China have squabbled over numerous issues in the midst of a debilitating trade war that threatens both economic superpowers.—
Kevin Breuninger,
CNBC,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sapping. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share