SAPPED Synonyms: 118 Similar and Opposite Words

sapped 1 of 2

adjective

as in weak

lacking bodily strength I was completely sapped after the first day of hauling logs

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sapped

2 of 2

verb

past tense of sap

as in weakened

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

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 sapped

Verb

After more than 26 years of drought and climate change sapped the river's supply, the nation's two largest reservoirs — Lake Powell and Lake Mead — are at record lows. — Alex Hager, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026 Hurricanes that pass over patches of cooler water, however, are sapped of their energy and diminish. — John P. Rafferty, Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 Aug. 2026 And in the last quarter-century, relentless drought intensified by climate change has sapped the river’s flow and left its reservoirs severely depleted. — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026 The deaths of her husband the previous year and her closest friend more recently had sapped her spirits. — Paula Span, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026 That momentum was sapped when center fielder Cole Carrigg made a diving catch to rob Eldridge of a hit, then doubled off Devers at second. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 15 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 But in the 21st century, as a megadrought sapped the basin and water users drained most of the water from storage. — Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 25 July 2026 But eventually, cheap off-brand department store bicycles sapped Huffy sales, and in 2004 the company filed for bankruptcy. — William Roberson, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sapped

Adjective

Many African economies are in a much weaker economic position compared to the strong 2015-2016 El Niño, the IIF report said, largely due to higher oil prices, which have driven up transport costs, and a strong US dollar.

— Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Too much nitrogen in the spring creates a weak root system that isn’t able to withstand the heat and drought in summer.

— Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of weak

Verb

Today, the yen has weakened 57% from a low of about 103 in January 2021 to a high of 163 in July, before a rare joint intervention from both Washington and Tokyo strengthened the currency to its current levels of about 160.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
Sprout Social's 2026 Influencer Marketing Report found that recommendation feeds have weakened the link between follower count and reach.

— Zoe Huang, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of weakened

Adjective

Kenneth Branagh originated the somewhat aloof professor, who steps into the role after Professor Quirrell was revealed to be hosting the feeble Lord Voldemort on the back of his bald head.

— Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026
Instead of using a mirror to gather starlight, MOTHRA has many telephoto lenses, like those on a camera, which can capture faintly glowing wisps of gas and other feeble emanations across a wider field of view.

— Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of feeble

Verb

Bright notes of lemon, sweet orange, and bergamot are softened by lavender and verbena, giving the citrus opening a more rounded, aromatic quality.

— Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
The steak was crisp and deeply browned on the outside, with a tender, savory center underneath, and the blanket of brown gravy softened the crunchy crust and added a rich, salty flavor without overpowering the meat.

— Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of softened

Verb

Deery becomes the latest player who exhausted their eligibility to sue for an extra year of eligibility.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Sep. 2026
Your eyes will thank you College students often fall asleep without removing their contacts, especially when exhausted from late-night studying or over-intoxicated from partying.

— Dr. Jill Grimes, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of exhausted

Verb

Spraying the whole plant—the leaves and stems—means some water is being wasted because plants need water near their roots.

— Lauren David, Southern Living, 27 Aug. 2026
Those particular fans in Cleveland who wasted precious hours of their lives Saturday afternoon at an NFL preseason game, then booed Deshaun Watson throughout his time on the field?

— Candace Buckner, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of wasted

Browse Nearby Words

sapless

sapped

sappiness

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“Sapped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sapped. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of sapped

adjective

verb

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