1
as in suckers
one who is easily deceived or cheated
some poor sap would probably fall for that telephone scam
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
as in weakens
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 saps
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
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
An overreliance on tools weakens our civilization (and saps the film’s dramatic thrills).
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 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
Noun
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
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
An overreliance on tools weakens our civilization (and saps the film’s dramatic thrills).
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for saps
Noun
-
Keep in mind that trumpet vines can become invasive by self-seeding and sending up suckers, so allocate ample space.—
Sheryl Geerts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Apr. 2026
-
When pruning orange trees, focus on dead, damaged, or diseased branches, and getting rid of upright suckers that drain the tree’s energy.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
To rejuvenate these shrubs, cut three of the thickest canes all the way back to the ground in spring.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Video footage of disabled military veterans—some in wheelchairs, others leaning on canes—being zip-tied and dragged out of the Capitol Rotunda for staging a peaceful, anti-war protest.—
John Whitehead,
Oc Register,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Expanding nonmedical exemptions, however, weakens the very protections those medically vulnerable children depend on.—
Sarah Marsicek,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Critics say allowing the department to delay or sideline state investigations weakens one of the last independent checks on government lawyers.—
Jaclyn Diaz,
NPR,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Marsies who resist arrest are doing so without batons, skull-protecting helmets, and guns containing, technically, nonlethal rounds.—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The hospital's public safety officers were trained to use pepper gel, batons, and handcuffs.—
Kristina Rex,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The formula softens skin, making this Philosophy bath gel a luxurious shower experience.—
Gina Vaynshteyn,
StyleCaster,
29 Apr. 2026
-
This is seen in conditions such as rickets, which softens and weakens the bones, often seen in children.—
Anthea Levi,
Health,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Why do Californians, most of whom also believe the state wastes taxpayer money anyway, support the BWT?—
Robertas Bakula,
Oc Register,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Watering for too long, at the wrong time of day, or incorrectly costs money and wastes a precious resource.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Saps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/saps. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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