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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of taper
Growth has been a highlight, with revenues increasing at an average annual rate of nearly 184% over the past three years, significantly exceeding the S&P 500; however, more recent growth has tapered to low single digits.
—
Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Plant the tallest items at the back of the bed, tapering down to the shortest ones at the front of the planting area closest to the walk.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2025
This two-piece includes a ribbed knit cropped top and tapered knit pants.
—Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2025
But the key to seeing results here is consistent use, Dr. Rahman says, at the cadence prescribed by your doctor (which is typically nightly to start and then tapers down to a couple times a week).
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for taper
Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Plant the tallest items at the back of the bed, tapering down to the shortest ones at the front of the planting area closest to the walk.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2025
This two-piece includes a ribbed knit cropped top and tapered knit pants.
—Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2025
But the key to seeing results here is consistent use, Dr. Rahman says, at the cadence prescribed by your doctor (which is typically nightly to start and then tapers down to a couple times a week).
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for taper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taper
Verb
-
This risk decreases as the storm moves away.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Sep. 2025
-
As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Royals are waiting for his back spasms to subside before getting him back into game action.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
9 Sep. 2025
-
By 2008, Americans were withdrawing, and combat deaths were subsiding to their lowest level since the start of the occupation.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
That transition will bring with it some advantages (the conflict of being a part of the Comcast empire is diminished) but also challenges.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Many observers feel that the family’s power in Thailand is diminished, and its long dominant political machine could finally be out of steam.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Alcaraz was briefly in a battle against Novak Djokovic, but eased through the third set after taking the second on a tiebreak.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The new rates, intended to streamline processes and compliance while easing the burden on consumers, include tax cuts on various items like apparel and footwear, and narrow down the four tax slabs introduced when GST first rolled out in 2017.—
Mayu Saini,
Sourcing Journal,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In recent years, the gaming industry has been defined by mass layoffs, shrinking budgets and studios scrambling to replicate blockbuster success with Hollywood-sized spending.—
Keller Gordon,
NPR,
8 Sep. 2025
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With record numbers of Chinese retiring, the country faces mounting strain on its pension system and social safety nets, alongside a shrinking workforce to support them.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Burberry's share price has fallen sharply over recent years, declining almost 80% from April 2023 to September 2024, as waning sales and a slew of management changes exacerbated a wider luxury downturn.—
Karen Gilchrist,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Morris and his attorneys declined comment.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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National Weather Service meteorologists consider forecasting waterspouts during the late summer and fall whenever large, cool air masses overspread the waters of the Great Lakes.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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The Department of Buildings told CBS News New York and News 12 Long Island that a 10-by-10-inch section of the ceiling collapsed due to possible water damage, and pieces of the building fell on customers dining inside.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Taper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taper. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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