sapped

Fighting words like those that propelled his team to the top of the industry, but it looks like that drive might have been sapped.

Long periods of ball-play sapped speed from the Americans, who were relying on fleet counter-attacks to score against the Germans.

Bad leadership and worse commanders rapidly sapped the morale of his unit, which became notorious for its lack of discipline.

They can be sapped of war fever by the diplomatic courage and genius displayed by Kissinger and Nixon four decades ago.

Online distractions have sapped the will to compete, let alone the will to win.

He spoke in low, earnest tones, and as he did so, Dick felt as though his moral manhood were being sapped.

I have been very busy trying to get ahead of a German trench which they had sapped up to us.

His last words—the inexorable intention of going away—sapped her last lingering hope.

In fact, numbers of houses, and even whole streets, were in this way sapped and overturned.

He doubtless kindled a spirit of inquiry, while he sapped the foundation of Christianity and undermined faith.