SAP Synonyms: 277 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

sap 1 of 2

noun

ˈsap

Definition of sap next

as in energy

active strength of body or mind a child full of sap and vivacity

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sucker

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

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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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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

The sap can also contain microorganisms that may be harmful to health.3 Tastes and Uses Maple syrup has a smooth, thick consistency, while raw honey can vary in texture due to variations in its sugar composition. —

Lauren O'Connor, Ms, Health, 6 Jan. 2025 Sapsuckers tap into the sweet sap flowing under tree bark, leaving sap wells for other birds to feed from. —

Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 15 Dec. 2024

Verb

Could a unionization effort sap some of the drama that keeps people watching if Housewives — known for backstabbing and bad-mouthing one another — had to band together to organize? —

Emma Bowman, NPR, 17 Dec. 2024 As Hobson later noted in her autobiography, her publisher’s less-than-enthusiastic reply sapped some of her confidence. —

Rachel Gordan, Sun Sentinel, 16 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for sap

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sap

Noun

He is praised for his energy and leadership savvy and coached San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy for four years at Iowa State.

— Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2025
Then factor in your activity level (from sedentary to very active) to estimate your total daily energy expenditure (TDEE)—the calories needed to maintain your current weight.

— David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Jan. 2025