sap 1 of 2

noun

ˈsap How to pronounce sap (audio)
Definition of sapnext
1
as in energy
active strength of body or mind a child full of sap and vivacity

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2
as in sucker
one who is easily deceived or cheated some poor sap would probably fall for that telephone scam

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3
as in cane
a heavy rigid stick used as a weapon or for punishment the sadistic prison guards freely used their saps to enforce discipline

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4
as in health
the condition of being sound in body I may no longer have the sap of youth, but I do have the sapience that comes only with advanced years

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sap

2 of 2

verb

as in to weaken
to diminish the physical strength of weeks of hard work had sapped her and left her exhausted

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word sap distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of sap are cripple, debilitate, disable, enfeeble, undermine, and weaken. While all these words mean "to lose or cause to lose strength or vigor," undermine and sap suggest a weakening by something working surreptitiously and insidiously.

a poor diet undermines your health
drugs had sapped his ability to think

In what contexts can cripple take the place of sap?

While the synonyms cripple and sap are close in meaning, cripple implies causing a serious loss of functioning power through damaging or removing an essential part or element.

crippled by arthritis

When can debilitate be used instead of sap?

The words debilitate and sap are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, debilitate suggests a less marked or more temporary impairment of strength or vitality.

the debilitating effects of surgery

When would disable be a good substitute for sap?

The words disable and sap can be used in similar contexts, but disable suggests bringing about impairment or limitation in a physical or mental ability.

disabled by an injury sustained at work

When might enfeeble be a better fit than sap?

While in some cases nearly identical to sap, enfeeble implies a condition of marked weakness and helplessness.

enfeebled by starvation

Where would weaken be a reasonable alternative to sap?

In some situations, the words weaken and sap are roughly equivalent. However, weaken may imply loss of physical strength, health, soundness, or stability or of quality, intensity, or effective power.

a disease that weakens the body's defenses

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 sap
Noun
Nymphs suck the sap out of your plants, leading to yellowing and premature leaf dropping. — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 7 July 2026 According to Ballato, hydrangea stems contain a sap similar to pine trees that can deter beneficial water flow. — Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 6 July 2026
Verb
None of these potentially confidence-sapping passages fazed Madjo. — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026 Watergate, Vietnam, and stagflation sapped American confidence to a degree not seen since the Great Depression. — James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sap
  1. energy
  2. sucker
  3. cane
  4. health
  5. weaken
  6. vigor
  7. baton
  8. strength
Noun
  • Many agree that the surge in data centers, not Illinois clean energy law, is the primary cause of skyrocketing power prices across power grid operator PJM’s 13-state footprint.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Defensiveness extends conversations, weakens credibility and drains emotional energy that could have been directed toward solving problems.
    — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of energy
Noun
  • Often, a tree grows suckers in response to stress from pests, diseases, or damage, or to difficult conditions such as inadequate root space or insufficient water.
    — Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026
  • This sucker is super small and lightweight, clips on in a second, and feels damn close to the original inputs.
    — David Pierce, The Verge, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of sucker
Noun
  • This is also the time to thin out crowded canes and remove any that are too weak to bear fruit.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 14 Aug. 2026
  • There is no greater cautionary tale than Australia’s cane toads, whose now 200-million strong population continues to wreak havoc 91 years after being introduced to deal with the country’s cane beetle problem.
    — Jack Bantock, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of cane
Noun
  • Perhaps better health and shorter assignments will help Cabrera harness his high-end velocity and create greater separation between his fastball and a unique changeup.
    — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The quake injured at least 213 people and caused widespread destruction across the island, damaging 122 health facilities, 252 schools and 84 places of worship, the agency said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of health
Verb
  • That makes the world a more dangerous place, where a mistake by just one actor could ignite a regional firestorm, with a US military weakened by Iran unable to ensure American security.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Hurricane Lala weakened to a tropical storm Sunday after skirting Hawaii without making landfall, but it wasn’t done punishing the Big Island with hurricane-force gusts.
    — Alexa St. John, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of weaken
Noun
  • Lastly, to dull the war-mongering vigor of the Rivermen, Ormund installs small, scared little boys, ripped from their homes, all along the chemin de ronde — a baby human shield for Ser Daeron the Daring’s great army.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
  • August 8 is 8/8; double eights are an extreme force of nature that adds vigor to our intentions.
    — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of vigor
Noun
  • The Public Defender's Office said Govindbhai, without double-checking the plate numbers, walked to the driver's side door and struck the window with his baton four times, smashing the glass.
    — Jose Fabian, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Some pushed against barricades and scuffled with police, who responded by firing tear gas rounds, using water cannon and beating them with batons, TV footage showed.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of baton
Noun
  • Loss of muscle strength, medication side effects, neurological conditions, and changes in vision or balance can all affect gait.
    — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Guest judge Willy Chavarria praises how Jeffrey’s outfit moved (my favorite thing about it), but the strength of Naheim’s tromp l’oeil effect snags him the win, immunity for the next challenge, and $20,000 from Viva.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of strength

Browse Nearby Words

sans
sap
saphead
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Cite this Entry

“Sap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sap. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on sap

Nglish: Translation of sap for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sap

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