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

Zoetis has been under pressure from investors as pet parents in the US taper their spending. — Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 14 July 2026

Chip stocks have fallen off a cliff over the past week, but traders are seeing it as more of an unwinding in the momentum play than a sign of fundamentally tapering demand within the artificial intelligence boom. — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 8 July 2026

Two small pockets at the front are more decorative than anything, while the legs taper out to create a subtle wide-leg fit. — Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 11 June 2026

Men’s styles include the Miles, a relaxed wide fit; the Jerald, a straight fit; the Benjamin, a tapered fit; the SlimR, a slim tapered; and the Hack, a slim straight. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 8 June 2026

Phrases Containing taper

• taper off