1
as in suckers
one who is easily deceived or cheated
some poor sap would probably fall for that telephone scam
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in canes
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
as in weakens
to diminish the physical strength of
weeks of hard work had sapped her and left her exhausted
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
As transistors continue to be made tinier, the interconnects that supply them with current must be packed ever closer and be made ever finer, which increases resistance and saps power.
—Divya Prasad, IEEE Spectrum, 26 Aug. 2021
Andy McCullough, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
An overreliance on tools weakens our civilization (and saps the film’s dramatic thrills).
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 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
Internal resistance from the membrane’s structure saps additional efficiency.
—Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
Tariffs are taxes on production, government spending is a tax on progress, deportation saps workforce productivity, and the weak dollar (see the gold price) is a tax on investment.
—John Tamny, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
But the county’s fire union contends the switch saps Fire Rescue funds from long-term plans to add fire trucks, stations and crews in areas of the county needing better coverage to lower response times.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 23 Aug. 2025
Sweetgreen’s stumbles have reinforced doubts about whether premium salad chains can thrive in today’s value-conscious dining environment, especially as hybrid work saps the desk-lunch crowd and consumers search for more affordable options.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2025
Noun
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
As transistors continue to be made tinier, the interconnects that supply them with current must be packed ever closer and be made ever finer, which increases resistance and saps power.
—Divya Prasad, IEEE Spectrum, 26 Aug. 2021
Verb
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
An overreliance on tools weakens our civilization (and saps the film’s dramatic thrills).
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 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
Internal resistance from the membrane’s structure saps additional efficiency.
—Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
Tariffs are taxes on production, government spending is a tax on progress, deportation saps workforce productivity, and the weak dollar (see the gold price) is a tax on investment.
—John Tamny, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
But the county’s fire union contends the switch saps Fire Rescue funds from long-term plans to add fire trucks, stations and crews in areas of the county needing better coverage to lower response times.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 23 Aug. 2025
Sweetgreen’s stumbles have reinforced doubts about whether premium salad chains can thrive in today’s value-conscious dining environment, especially as hybrid work saps the desk-lunch crowd and consumers search for more affordable options.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for saps
Noun
-
This is done by removing suckers early for several weeks after transplanting.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Despite all of my research—my monastic study of the lines, my careful hunt for small edges, my righteous avoidance of the high-risk suckers’ bets that the apps were constantly pushing on me—I had been burned by a bad call from a random referee.—
McKay Coppins,
The Atlantic,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Repeating this cycle helps replace older canes with new, stronger growth.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Since the goal is to remove most of the old stems, prune back thick remaining stems to new canes that develop lower on the stem over the next couple of years.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And if the economy deteriorates and the labor market materially weakens at the same time?—
Allie Canal,
NBC news,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Without this supply from the updraft, the storm weakens and dissipates.—
Mary Wasson,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Edris steals a glance at a dozen or two golden batons rising at eye level.—
Sarah Blaskovich,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Police used batons, tear gas, and live fire to disperse the crowd.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
By night, the scene softens with storm lanterns lit by hotel staff, who also patrol the premises.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The same goes for Linda, who softens at the recognition of her daughter's humanity, which is all too easy to overlook in times of crisis.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
War wastes innocent lives, trillions of dollars and time better spent on, for example, global climate change and the necessary global cooperation needed to address it.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
14 Mar. 2026
-
This not only wastes money and product, but also exposes pollinators and other wildlife to unnecessary chemicals.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Saps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/saps. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
