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

Examples of sap in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

All the mattresses on our list use natural latex, which means the material comes from the sap of rubber plants or trees. —

Claudia Fisher, SELF, 27 Sep. 2024 The insects spend the vast majority of their 17-year lives underground as juveniles, feeding on tree sap and hiding from predators. —

Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 7 June 2024

Verb

Since the advent of high-skilled LLMs, companies like Intercom have argued that customer service work is repetitive and will inevitably sap employees’ morale. —

Shawn Tully, Fortune Europe, 10 Oct. 2024 There also remains uncertainty over whether tools such as Rufus will sap the professional reviews industry, WIRED included, of revenue. —

Paresh Dave, WIRED, 10 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sap

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sap.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.