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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of taper
The company eventually abandoned that approach, selling the product through retailers, but sales still tapered out.
—
Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for taper
Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for taper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taper
Verb
-
The elimination of prop bets would decrease revenue by more than $2 million per year, according to the fiscal note produced by the Legislative Council Staff.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
24 Apr. 2026
-
And while low-cost housing has decreased, rents have risen.—
Desiree Mathurin
April 24,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The still-plentiful coal trains south from Denver will subside as the coal plants at Pueblo, Fountain and other places retire in coming years.—
Allen Best,
Denver Post,
24 Apr. 2026
-
And while the conflict in the Middle East temporarily warded off deflation, the gains have since subsided as Chinese industry continues to run below capacity, the chief economist for Asia Pacific at French bank Natixis argued.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Perpetuating ageism diminishes all of us.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The change reflects assessment that downside risks from a severe and prolonged tariff shock have diminished after US duties on Thai exports were reduced to levels broadly in line with regional peers, Moody’s said in a statement Tuesday.—
Bloomberg,
Bloomberg,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But those efforts might be better spent on easing caregivers’ administrative burdens than replacing their face time with patients.—
Catherine Thorbecke,
Twin Cities,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The maneuver is aimed at easing strains on global funding markets, giving breathing room to households and businesses of both participating countries.—
Kevin Breuninger,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Rampell’s writing and commentary do not reflect the views of actual neoconservatives, who champion shrinking the welfare state as well as a robustly interventionist foreign policy.—
Ron Kampeas,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Spirit has aggressively axed its costs, selling aircraft and shrinking its network.—
Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Sturm declined comment on the elbow.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The Nuggets refused to engage, declining to respond on the off day.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
His portfolio fell 44% in the dot-com crash, and sustained a 40% loss in 2008.—
Terry Savage,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Lee then came up to the plate and fell behind in the count 1-2.—
Tony Gleason,
Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Taper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taper. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
