sapped 1 of 2

sapped

2 of 2

verb

past tense of sap

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
That surely sapped some of the drama from the endgame, which is a shame. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024 This sapped the original populist movement of its moral clarity and thwarted its capacity to fight on behalf of working people. Gunther Peck / Made By History, TIME, 12 Dec. 2024 Had lawmakers succeeded in impeaching Yoon, his powers would have been sapped. Filip Timotija, The Hill, 7 Dec. 2024 Its backers in Moscow, Tehran and Beirut were unable or unwilling to respond, perhaps because their attention and resources having been sapped by wars in Ukraine, Lebanon, Gaza and elsewhere. David Brennan, ABC News, 9 Dec. 2024 The war in Ukraine sapped Russia’s strength and diminished its ability to maintain its defense of the Assad regime just as surely as the successful Russian defense of Stalingrad taxed Germany’s military might, contributing to its loss of North Africa in 1943. Bryce Hoffman, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024 Cancer June 21 – July 22 Your motivation might have been sapped by the mundane. Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 31 Oct. 2024 Strep throat had sapped some of Verlander’s velocity to start his senior season at Goochland High, scaring away scouts and perhaps some of the more prestigious college programs. Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 20 Aug. 2024 Conversely, many of the bodies on display appear sapped of erotic charge by virtue of their hanging. Ara H. Merjian, ARTnews.com, 4 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sapped
Adjective
  • Carbonaceous chondrites tend to be weaker and more crumbly than other meteorites, so these objects just don’t stand as much of a chance.
    Patrick M. Shober, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Then, McIlroy hit a weak drive to the right and was blocked by pines.
    Time, Time, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • But the militants, while greatly weakened, have repeatedly regrouped, often after Israeli forces withdraw from areas.
    Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2025
  • Those at high-risk for listeria infection are newborns, those who are pregnant, have weakened immune systems, and those aged 65 or older.
    Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Maresca’s post-match insistence that the Frenchman’s struggles are not down to a lack of effort felt as feeble and unconvincing as the sum of his contribution over 45 listless first-half minutes.
    Liam Twomey, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Salvi’s wife, Kathy, current chair of the statewide GOP, has the unenviable task of trying to rebuild what is a feeble Republican Party in deep-blue Illinois.
    Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • While the emphasis on ESG has softened, the focus on sustainable, scalable growth remains a guiding principle.
    Emil Sayegh, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
  • McDermott has softened on those decisions recently.
    Joe Buscaglia, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • He was hurt, he was exhausted and knew very well the odds of his Pittsburgh Penguins qualifying for the postseason were minimal at best.
    Josh Yohe, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
  • Fourteen years of war have left the country desolate, and its people exhausted; millions have been displaced or were forced to become refugees.
    Raghed Waked & Justin Salhani, The Dial, 25 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sapped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sapped. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on sapped

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!