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

Some medications need to be tapered gradually, and there are serious risks of stopping them suddenly. — Danielle Zickl, HEALTH, 31 Aug. 2026

Men’s styles include the 501 Loose and the Baggy Barrel, a roomy silhouette that tapers at the ankle and has waist adjusters for a customizable fit. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 28 Aug. 2026

In acknowledgment of the Mississippi River, Noguchi’s sculpture features a tapering column topped by a balanced, crescent shape from which water flows. — News Desk, Artforum, 27 Aug. 2026

Reddington asked if that was reasonable along with immediately stopping Clancy on Zoloft and not tapering her off? — Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 26 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing taper

• taper off