sapping 1 of 2

adjective

as in draining

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sapping

2 of 2

verb

present participle of sap
as in weakening
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 sapping
Verb
Partita takes a poem that vibrates with political energy and domesticates it, sapping this very famous verse of its revolutionary bite. — Sam Worley, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026 Stubbornly high inflation has been sapping consumer confidence and pressuring the Fed, which recently raised its benchmark interest rate in an effort to cool prices. — Damian J. Troise, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026 High gasoline prices have been fueling a broader jump in inflation, squeezing household budgets and sapping consumer confidence. — ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026 The yield surge is largely a result of mounting investor concerns about persistent US inflation and ballooning government debt, as well as competition from corporate AI-buildout debt that is sapping demand for Treasuries. — Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026 The transition from farms, the open range, and artisanal workshops to offices and large, impersonal, factories was seen as sapping virility—just as our tiny cubicles and remote workstations are said to do today. — Michael Kimmel, Time, 15 Aug. 2026 None of these potentially confidence-sapping passages fazed Madjo. — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026 Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme heat in Europe, the world’s fastest-warming continent, straining power grids, sapping water supplies and curbing farm output. — Bloomberg, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2026 Hotter temperatures can suck water out of the atmosphere, sapping humidity levels and drying out plants. — Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sapping
  1. draining
  2. weakening
  3. debilitating
  4. softening
  5. wasting
Adjective
  • This is a good time to organize the list, clarify expectations, or make a routine feel less draining.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Speaking of the part of van life spent behind the wheel, Volkswagen has slightly reworked the Grand California's driver-assistance suite to make driving a little less draining.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 July 2026
Definition of draining
Verb
  • While critics claim the court cases are politically motivated and aimed at weakening the opposition, the government insists the country’s judiciary is independent and free from political influence.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Those tasks had often depended on personal relationships rather than formal job requirements, and the researchers found those ties were weakening.
    — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of weakening
Adjective
  • According to the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), threats to these sectors can create debilitating impacts on the economy, public health and safety.
    — Julie Song, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026
  • That’s a good thing, in the sense that even if a child is infected, the vast majority do not develop debilitating, and potentially fatal, consequences.
    — Eli Cahan, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of debilitating
Verb
  • Even as Democrats target his Virginia district to capitalize on a favorable 2026 environment, McGuire is doing the opposite of Republicans in some competitive races, who are softening their ties to Trump.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 30 Sep. 2026
  • This all lends itself to a softening market for fashion and apparel — even the most loyal customers are pulling back.
    — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of softening
Verb
  • The truth of the matter is, both of these fanbases are wasting their breath.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • This is a crucial insight to have before wasting time and money.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of wasting

Browse Nearby Words

sappiness
sapping
sappy
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Cite this Entry

“Sapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sapping. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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