Synonyms of taper

taper

verb

ˈtā-pər 

as in to decrease

to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually

you'll find the symptoms begin tapering gradually about 24 hours after you take the medicine

Synonyms & Similar Words

• decrease
• subside
• diminish
• ease
• shrink
• decline
• fall
• moderate
• taper off
• vanish
• ebb
• drop (off)
• die (away or down or out)
• wane
• recede
• drain (away)
• pall
• lower
• fall away
• lessen
• relent
• rachet (down)
• ratchet (down)
• dwindle
• weaken
• abate
• phase down
• remit
• tail (off)
• evaporate
• compress
• slow (down)
• let up
• de-escalate
• constrict
• slacken
• collapse
• relax
• fade (away)
• condense
• alleviate
• contract
• peter (out)
• melt (away)
• fritter (away)
• give out
• cave (in)
• sink
• flag
• deflate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• increase
• build
• rise
• grow
• mount
• expand
• intensify
• wax
• swell
• accumulate
• enlarge
• escalate
• pick up
• appear
• soar
• emerge
• show up
• balloon
• mushroom
• snowball
• elongate
• lengthen
• burgeon
• blow up
• distend

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of taper

In early November, Tufts and Clancy agreed on a plan to taper her off the benzodiazepine, which the psychiatrist said has a risk of dependency. — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

Chico’s is offering up to 60 percent off tapered, cropped, and pull-on styles, but not for much longer. — Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 14 Aug. 2026

Love Joy’s was the only one that resembled the kind of proper house drawn by all school-age children the world over, with proper walls and a roof that properly tapered. — Literary Hub, 3 Aug. 2026

More pertinently, Newcastle’s largesse has tapered even as Premier League clubs are spending ever more. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing taper

• taper off