Synonyms of saps

saps 1 of 2

noun

plural of sap

1

as in suckers

one who is easily deceived or cheated

some poor sap would probably fall for that telephone scam

Synonyms & Similar Words

• suckers
• victims
• tools
• chumps
• patsies
• dupes
• pigeons
• soft touches
• targets
• gulls
• losers
• fools
• pushovers
• morons
• idiots
• lunatics
• mocks
• schlemiels
• simps
• mugs
• monkeys
• dopes
• geese
• ninnies
• butts
• derisions
• dolts
• imbeciles
• simpletons
• half-wits
• laughingstocks
• blockheads
• nitwits
• jackasses
• schlubs
• cat's-paws
• boobies
• mockeries
• turkeys
• nincompoops
• dummies
• marks
• dunces
• schnooks
• dodoes
• schlumps
• dumbbells
• yo-yos

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sharks
• swindlers
• sharpers
• cheats
• cheaters
• confidence men
• dodgers
• tricksters
• slickers
• defrauders
• cozeners
• hoaxers

2

as in canes

a heavy rigid stick used as a weapon or for punishment

the sadistic prison guards freely used their saps to enforce discipline

Synonyms & Similar Words

• canes
• batons
• bludgeons
• bats
• cudgels
• staffs
• billy clubs
• waddies
• billies
• hammers
• truncheons
• bastinadoes
• mallets
• clubs
• rods
• shillelaghs
• nightsticks
• maces
• rungs
• beetles
• staves
• knobkerries
• mauls
• birches
• hickories
• blackjacks
• rattans
• switches
• crooks
• sledgehammers
• crosiers
• crabsticks
• walking sticks
• gavels
• whangees

saps

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of sap

as in weakens

to diminish the physical strength of

weeks of hard work had sapped her and left her exhausted

Synonyms & Similar Words

• weakens
• softens
• wastes
• debilitates
• hurts
• exhausts
• enfeebles
• enervates
• injures
• tires
• paralyzes
• depletes
• cripples
• damages
• depresses
• impairs
• devitalizes
• prostrates
• incapacitates
• impoverishes
• etiolates
• disables
• harms
• invalids
• grinds (down)
• hamstrings
• wears out
• lays up
• unmans
• washes out
• wears down
• breaks down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• strengthens
• fortifies
• energizes
• invigorates
• recruits
• rejuvenates
• vitalizes
• hardens
• seasons
• beefs (up)
• toughens

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of saps

Noun

This slows growth, destroys social trust, increases judgment and moralism, and saps societal happiness. — Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 24 May 2026

Usually, fitting smaller wheels to an EV increases range because the rotation of each wheel causes a lot of drag that saps range, and smaller, narrower wheels disturb less air. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 7 Apr. 2026

But in the opinions of the two lead detectives on the case, to comment on every single one, to give credence publicly to even the most dubious messages, as Captain Donahoe was doing, only made the department look like a bunch of saps. — Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026

Every meeting between bare skin and river air saps your resolve, but those that resist the comfort of a warm den and a big screen television packed with sporting events are rewarded with some of the year's best fishing. — Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 25 Jan. 2026

The end of a new president’s first year is supposed to be a pivot point, when midterm elections come into focus and party leaders game out what can still be accomplished before campaigning saps Washington’s will to do anything at all. — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 16 Dec. 2025

Certain bark layers, saps, and other plant matter can actually photoluminesce. — Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 16 Oct. 2025

That functional mismatch saps away at the comedy of a film clearly made to be enjoyed by a global audience. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2025

As transistors continue to be made tinier, the interconnects that supply them with current must be packed ever closer and be made ever finer, which increases resistance and saps power. — Divya Prasad, IEEE Spectrum, 26 Aug. 2021

Verb

Voisard noted that an eagle’s first flight is a stressful endeavor that saps the bird’s energy. — Kris Wernowsky, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026

But the plot also retains a serial quality that saps momentum and betrays its TV roots. — Naveen Kumar, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026

But hamate surgery often saps a hitter of power, something Lindor, Carroll and Holliday were expected to supply in 2026. — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026

Cast and crew are emotionally invested in the urgency of the material, but the bland competency of the whole affair saps it of power. — Will Leitch, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2025

Their style saps all the kitsch from beachy design and leaves just the parts that feel traveled, artisanal, and sophisticated. — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 28 Nov. 2025

Internal resistance from the membrane’s structure saps additional efficiency. — Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025

Tariffs are taxes on production, government spending is a tax on progress, deportation saps workforce productivity, and the weak dollar (see the gold price) is a tax on investment. — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025

But the county’s fire union contends the switch saps Fire Rescue funds from long-term plans to add fire trucks, stations and crews in areas of the county needing better coverage to lower response times. — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 23 Aug. 2025