taper off

verb

tapered off; tapering off; tapers off
: taper
housing starts tapered off in the fall

Examples of taper off in a Sentence

at this time of the year, light begins to taper off a little earlier each day
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The leads have tapered off, but he’s promised the family that detectives won’t stop search searching until he’s found. Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 7 July 2025 Participants ideally begin chipping in their own money at the three-month mark, and the support gradually tapers off over two years. Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2025 Numbers have since tapered off, initially because of the pandemic. Lavender Au, The Atlantic, 2 July 2025 While activity may taper off in the winter, they’re not gone. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for taper off

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of taper off was in 1848

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Cite this Entry

“Taper off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/taper%20off. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

taper off

verb
: to stop or lessen gradually

More from Merriam-Webster on taper off

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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