sap
1 of 2verb/sæp/
Forms:saps,sapping,sapped,sapped
1
to gradually drain or deplete someone's power or strength
transitive- Constant stress can sap one's mental resilience.
- Working long hours without breaks can sap physical energy.
- Financial struggles can sap emotional well-being and stability.
- The constant stress at work saps her energy.
- The prolonged illness sapped his physical strength.
2
to undermine or hollow out the ground beneath something
transitive- The constant flow of water had sapped the ground beneath the foundation, causing the building to tilt.
- The burrowing rodents had sapped the earth beneath the fence, causing it to sag and lose stability.
- The erosion from the river had sapped the earth beneath the bridge supports, posing a risk of collapse.
- The excavation work for the new building project sapped the earth beneath the neighboring properties.
- The mining operations in the area had sapped the earth beneath the town.