1
as in energy
active strength of body or mind
a child full of sap and vivacity
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sap
Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 25 Jan. 2026
When the temperature shifts into freezing, the sap can expand and cause the tree to snap apart, usually with a loud bang.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Jan. 2026
Phil Wahba, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026
However, the effort Betts poured into the transition (and an early-season virus that sapped his strength) seemed to adversely impact his offense.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sap
Noun
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
When the temperature shifts into freezing, the sap can expand and cause the tree to snap apart, usually with a loud bang.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Jan. 2026
Verb
Too many turnaround attempts see a CEO throwing spaghetti at the wall in the hopes something will work, further confusing the rank and file and sapping their confidence in management.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026
However, the effort Betts poured into the transition (and an early-season virus that sapped his strength) seemed to adversely impact his offense.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sap
Noun
-
Whereas traditional nuclear fission energy creates power by splitting atoms, fusion uses heat to create energy by melding them together.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
13 Feb. 2026
-
That pattern is associated with better satiety, energy stability, and muscle maintenance, as long as sodium is kept in check when selecting meals.—
Rita Templeton,
Flow Space,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Why to Prune Viburnums Viburnums seldom need pruning other than to remove damaged, diseased, and dead branches, or sucker shoots that grow straight up from the roots but don’t flower.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Kocher was a grandfather and a sucker for extra hours on the bike trails, Beckley said.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Here, a neutral palette, cane furniture, and botanical textiles lend the accommodation a cozy, comfortable feel.—
Flora Stubbs,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Feb. 2026
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Fall-fruiting raspberries fruit on canes that grew in the current season (primocanes), whereas summer-bearing raspberries only develop fruit on second-year canes (floricanes).—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
That website's launch was memorably rocky -- only six people successfully signed up for health plans on the website's first day, according to internal Obama administration notes obtained by congressional Republicans -- a failure that became a political liability for the Obama administration.—
DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
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This suggests that spider silk research could offer new insights into human health, particularly in understanding how biological signaling works at a molecular level.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Investors don’t want to inadvertently cheer on weakening job growth that could negatively impact consumer spending and economic growth, hurting stock prices.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
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The National Weather Service says the ridge keeping California dry since last month is beginning to weaken.—
Monica Garske,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Suckers can be stimulated to grow for a variety of reasons, such as the vigor of a plant’s root system in situations where the plant is grafted (as many non-native witchhazels and tree cultivars are).—
Miri Talabac,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Feb. 2026
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As in as soon as the game was over, with Adebayo marching a phone down to Ware’s locker space at Capital One Arena, with vigor almost as fierce as the dunk itself.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Taking the baton Pacific Symphony announced its 2026-27 Classical Series, marking the orchestra’s 48th season, and its first under the leadership of its new artistic and music director, Alexander Shelley.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
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Coming on midway into the second half, a few substitutes ran with the baton against a softened opponent.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Your body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium and maintain bone strength.—
Zia Sherrell,
Health,
5 Feb. 2026
-
There is strength in coming together to pray, Gomez said.—
Anissa Rivera,
Daily News,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sap. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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