to sap

Examples

• All

• They believed the war would also limit their influence over other countries in the region and would sap their military capabilities.

  Academic text (1991)

• Naturally, soldiers weren't allowed tobacco, which would sap their wind and stamina.

  Fiction book (1990)

• The method of operation of Al-Qaeda and its allies is today what it has long been: spread out U.S. military assets so as to sap their reserves and flexibility.

  Blog text (12)

• The heat sapped the army, and morale sank when rumors reached them of a Spartan revolt back home.

  Fiction book (1999)

• The enemy troops used tactics to sap our defenses, making it easier for them to attack.

• In order to sap the leader's influence, the rival faction spread rumors among the soldiers.

Synonyms

D

to dig out

vsto sap

14 3.2

Remove something that is under the ground or snow using a shovel

aims specifically to excavate under supports to weaken them, not just remove items

U

to undermine

vsto sap

8 6.8

Remove the ground or support under something so it becomes weak

focuses on excavating beneath to weaken supports, often for military purposes

Antonyms

S

to support

∞ 1.0

Give help to a person or idea

F

to fortify

3 5.1

Make something stronger by adding support or protection

Idioms

F

to feel like a sap

• Offensive

1 9.9

To feel silly for believing someone who tricked you

How Damaging

to destroy

∞ 1.0

to undermine

270 6.8

to sap

• Archaic

1 9.6

to erode

83 4.2

to chip away at

18 4.6

Surface Forms

Etymology