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
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Recent Examples of taper
Renderings show a singular, slender tower, which subtly tapers towards its apex.
—
Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 18 Feb. 2026
Cheetahs have tapered limbs with a lower moment of inertia, which should make running more efficient.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
Predawn temps will settle into the upper 40s and low 50s, which is ideal for runners squeezing in their final long training run before tapering in preparation for next weekend’s Austin Marathon and Half Marathon.
—Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 6 Feb. 2026
Maybe think of it as another way to taper.
—Dan England, Outside, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for taper
Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 18 Feb. 2026
Cheetahs have tapered limbs with a lower moment of inertia, which should make running more efficient.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
Predawn temps will settle into the upper 40s and low 50s, which is ideal for runners squeezing in their final long training run before tapering in preparation for next weekend’s Austin Marathon and Half Marathon.
—Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 6 Feb. 2026
Maybe think of it as another way to taper.
—Dan England, Outside, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for taper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taper
Verb
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This is a mistake that will substantially decrease America’s hard and soft power.—
Adrian Elimian,
semafor.com,
6 Mar. 2026
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Nearly a week into the latest Middle East conflict, Iran’s strikes in the region have decreased significantly – while US attacks on Iran continue ramping up and Israeli strikes prompt panic in southern Beirut.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Winds were predicted to subside in the evening hours on Saturday before picking back up on Sunday morning, albeit at lower speeds than Saturday morning.—
Austin Turner,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 2026
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The settling of chairs subsided, people shifted into comfortable postures, some laid out on the carpet.—
Sofia Zarran,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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After a decade of dramatic growth, homelessness programs now face a period of diminishing resources.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
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Advocates say that level of disenrollment will sharply diminish the state’s health care system as a whole, by robbing hospitals and clinics of revenue.—
Andrew Graham
March 9,
Sacbee.com,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Little emphasized the need to ease property taxes in a letter accompanying his signature but criticized Moyle’s approach as rushed and overly complex.—
Mark Dee
March 6,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
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Meanwhile, Iranian retaliatory attacks appear to be declining — ballistic missile strikes have fallen by 90% and drone attacks by 83%, according to US Central Command — potentially easing pressure on Gulf states that have faced Iranian strikes in recent days.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Over the decades, the facility drastically shrank, reflecting a larger deinstitutionalization sweeping the state and country amid concerns over abuse at state psychiatric hospitals.—
Andrew Khouri,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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Yet traditional metal alloys become difficult to manufacture and handle when their diameters shrink.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, Iranian retaliatory attacks appear to be declining — ballistic missile strikes have fallen by 90% and drone attacks by 83%, according to US Central Command — potentially easing pressure on Gulf states that have faced Iranian strikes in recent days.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Bonta’s office declined to comment.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Additionally, the Hudson Farmers' Market draws local growers and makers with fresh produce, baked goods, cheeses, and flowers on Saturdays from spring to fall.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
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The Hurricanes came oh-so-close before falling short, 92-89.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Taper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taper. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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