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

Kennedy’s new pyramid places meat, dairy, fruit, and vegetables at the top (most consumed), and tapers down through fruits and vegetables to whole grains. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 31 July 2026

Gaddy said peak androgen levels typically hit in a man’s 30s and 40s, then taper gradually rather than dropping off a cliff. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 27 July 2026

An alternative, positive scenario for stocks could come to pass if companies taper their capex over the next year in line with expectations, as opposed to giving it a drastic defensive cut. — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 27 July 2026

At first, the finish is very dewy, but that eventually tapers down to a natural base that is exceptionally radiant. — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 18 July 2026

Phrases Containing taper

• taper off