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 its final form, though, the change — 8 to 10 feet closer in the corners with the gaps tapering toward a still 410-foot centerfield — certainly doesn’t appear overwhelming. —Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026

Their faces taper down to a point and terminate in a very powerful nose. —Jason Bittel, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026

Dynamic contrasts were boldly drawn, but phrases and passages were also beautifully tapered, up and down, when they were meant to. —Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 22 Mar. 2026

The virus peaked sharply in January and remains elevated in early March, although the seasonal winter wave is now tapering. —Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 6 Mar. 2026

Phrases Containing taper

• taper off