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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Recent Examples of taper
Also, the relaxed fit that tapers around the ankle offers a leg elongating look that’s perfect for petites.
—
Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 18 Sep. 2025
The suggested retail price is $100 USD, and with only 45,000 bottles produced, availability is expected to taper quickly as collectors and fans of the Legacy Series add it to their shelves.
—Gina Pace, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Net immigration is expected to even out with net births around 2055 as population growth taper down toward zero.
—Tobias Burns, The Hill, 10 Sep. 2025
In a photo released by the company, a pair of the whales can be seen breaching the choppy surface, pointing their smooth, tapered heads into the air.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for taper
Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 18 Sep. 2025
The suggested retail price is $100 USD, and with only 45,000 bottles produced, availability is expected to taper quickly as collectors and fans of the Legacy Series add it to their shelves.
—Gina Pace, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Net immigration is expected to even out with net births around 2055 as population growth taper down toward zero.
—Tobias Burns, The Hill, 10 Sep. 2025
In a photo released by the company, a pair of the whales can be seen breaching the choppy surface, pointing their smooth, tapered heads into the air.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for taper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taper
Verb
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Sesame oil is high in antioxidants that may help decrease the risk of cancer and heart disease, along with reducing joint pain related to arthritis.—
Susan Selasky,
Freep.com,
4 Oct. 2025
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As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The big number arrives, characters emote, high notes ring and ring and ring again … and the aria subsides unmemorably, without leaving the ozone tang that signals a bolt of musical lightning.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
30 Sep. 2025
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Herro received platelet-rich plasma and cortisone injections in hopes of avoiding surgery, but the discomfort never subsided and surgery was deemed necessary to avoid more issues down the road.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Zeldin’s cuts have diminished the EPA’s staffing levels, even before Congress has had a chance to weigh in, affecting the environment, public health and government transparency.—
Chris Sellers,
The Conversation,
29 Sep. 2025
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Though the region’s trade reliance on Washington has rapidly diminished as China has become its biggest market, several nations still rely on the US for a large share of their exports, the loss of which would put millions of livelihoods at risk.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Organizers said donations will help ease medical and financial burdens for the family during his recovery.—
Natalie Davies,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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Criteria have been eased several times since then as the kingdom increasingly sees the need to court foreign capital.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This year’s version was probably the hardest so far because of a continually shrinking talent discrepancy between the haves and the have-nots on the back end.—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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Many of the outlets that still publish criticism have shrunk coverage or shifted toward fuzzier features that approach literature as little more than a lifestyle choice.—
David L. Ulin,
The Atlantic,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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And some items, though limited, have seen prices decline, including Graeter’s Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip ice cream, Montgomery Inn’s full rack of ribs, Pringles potato chips and Red and Blue Bicycle Playing cards (though a standard deck has risen 11% in line with the overall index.—
Alexander Coolidge,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
3 Oct. 2025
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Netflix has declined to comment on Musk’s campaign.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Zay Flowers, who finished with a receiving line of 5-for-72, fell a yard short of a long TD on a 56-yard gain.—
Michael Salfino,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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City administrator echoes points other municipalities have stated Brown presented a series of slides and data pieces that, among other facts, showed the city has lagged further behind in terms of property revenue increases falling short of 3% inflation on existing services on average.—
Jim Riccioli,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Taper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taper. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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