saps 1 of 2

plural of sap

saps

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of sap

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 saps
Noun
Her Erika Tracy has Gloria Swanson’s hunger for male saps, Greta Garbo’s carriage, Marlene Dietrich’s disdain and Barbara Stanwyck’s wiles. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026 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
Verb
Even when the Delta breezes bring relief, some days the heat saps the appetite. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026 Misalignment saps energy and trust, making early, honest conversations vital for strong, lasting partnerships. — Rick Ford, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 The Flip 7 and earlier models sometimes required both hands to open, which saps the joy out of it. — Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for saps
Noun
  • More suckers may continue to appear for several years unless the stump is ground up or treated with tree stump killer.
    — Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Sep. 2026
  • One was a regional distributor of garbage trucks, street sweepers, and sewer suckers for municipalities.
    — Eric Zwick, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • This is because fruit development consumes much of the vine’s energy, so removing the fruit at this point allows the vine’s energy to continue to develop a strong cordon, canes (vertical shoots), and root system.
    — The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2026
  • Choose 3-6 strong, healthy, outside canes per plant to keep and leave 3-5 buds on each cane.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Narrowing the spread also weakens the incentive to steer patients toward costlier drugs and to acquire physician practices and infusion clinics — the very behaviors that have made care more expensive.
    — Casey B. Mulligan, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Research shows that people who share their goals publicly are less likely to achieve them, since talking about them creates a premature sense of accomplishment and weakens the drive to do the work.
    — Ben Meer, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • In Paris, tear gas filled the air, and trash cans, school desks and chairs were set alight as riot police with shields and batons clashed with some demonstrators.
    — Melissa Bell, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Rights groups say police are deploying ​heavy-handed force with rubber bullets and batons against the protesters, many of them schoolchildren.
    — Ellen Francis, Washington Post, 6 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • If buyers have already seen your ad several times, engagement softens, giving the platform another reason to show something else.
    — Matt Jayson, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, hyaluronic acid draws moisture into skin for a more immediate plumping effect that softens the appearance of lines.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The pilot for Eternally Yours wastes its story, larding up on exposition that definitely could have been distributed throughout an entire season.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Using the wrong one for your hair type wastes money and delivers no visible result.
    — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Saps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/saps. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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