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.
Now that much of the nation has begun the transition to cheaper winter gasoline and with driving demand seasonally tapering off as temperatures dip, gas prices face additional downward pressure. Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2025 Activity is expected to taper off overnight but not end completely. Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 22 Sep. 2025 With a fall planting, water well during establishment, then taper off as the tree enters dormancy. Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Sep. 2025 Turn it into ads, brief new creators to rework the winning formula and double down until returns taper off. Renae Gregoire, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Taper off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/taper%20off. Accessed 29 Sep. 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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