taper

verb

ˈtā-pər How to pronounce taper (audio)
Definition of tapernext
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

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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 And the 2026 Lancet Psychiatry network meta-analysis of 76 trials found abrupt discontinuation of any antidepressant carried meaningfully higher relapse risk than slow tapering with psychological support. — Jonathan Slater, STAT, 13 May 2026 Meanwhile the tiered effect tapers the hair, adding extra volume at each level (like an upside-down coffee cup). — Elle Turner, Glamour, 4 May 2026 Cadre of On-Call Response/Recovery Employees, or CORE, work on two- to four-year assignments, though they traditionally have been routinely renewed, a system that allows the agency to build up and taper down its capacity as needed. — ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026 Friday has a 40% chance of showers during the day, tapering to 30% in the evening. — Jordan Green, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 27 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for taper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taper
  1. decrease
  2. subside
  3. diminish
  4. ease
  5. shrink
  6. decline
  7. fall
Verb
  • The Postal Service has grappled with increasing costs as mail volumes have steadily decreased for years.
    — Stella Canino-Quiñones, Washington Post, 10 July 2026
  • Opponents of the task force note that crime was already decreasing in Memphis before the unit’s arrival.
    — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 10 July 2026
Definition of decrease
Verb
  • Violence flared and subsided periodically, and Lebanon and Israel reached ceasefire agreements in 1993, 1996 and after a 2006 war.
    — Anthony Wanis-St John, The Conversation, 10 July 2026
  • Execution remains the big question, but doubts around Apple's strategy have largely subsided.
    — Kevin Stankiewicz,Zev Fima, CNBC, 10 July 2026
Definition of subside
Verb
  • Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026
  • Kylian Mbappé’s powers were diminished in that tournament after sustaining a broken nose, while emerging stars like Michael Olise and Désiré Doué were yet to break through.
    — James Robson, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026
Definition of diminish
Verb
  • In May, layoffs across the industry reached their highest for any month since August 2024, before easing in June.
    — Annie Palmer, CNBC, 11 July 2026
  • But as the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine continues, the IOC and its sister organization, the International Paralympic Committee, eased restrictions.
    — Mark Temnycky, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
Definition of ease
Verb
  • Saving journalism — not newspapers The challenge only grew during his years leading The Charlotte Observer, where Thames helped steer the newsroom through an era of shrinking staffs, a changing business model and rapidly changing reader habits.
    — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 9 July 2026
  • Nevertheless, the claustrophobic framing shrinks an epic voyage into small-screen content made solely for a bored child to hold right up to their nose.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Definition of shrink
Verb
  • Bogdanos declined the cash, which is instead being donated to nonprofits of his choosing.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 9 July 2026
  • Even as remote work has declined from its pandemic highs, the data shows nearly 22% of workers still worked at least partly from home in 2025, only 1 percentage point less than the number who partly worked from home during the year prior.
    — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 9 July 2026
Definition of decline
Verb
  • Some older employees who have benefited from a booming stock market may be retiring feeling comfortable with their 401(k)s, though that doesn’t explain why the participation rate for people ages 25 to 55 has fallen.
    — Rachel Barber, USA Today, 9 July 2026
  • But for some Atlanta businesses, the major soccer tournament has fallen far short of expectations.
    — Amy Wenk, AJC.com, 9 July 2026
Definition of fall

Phrases Containing taper

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taped
taper
tape recording
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Cite this Entry

“Taper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taper. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on taper

Nglish: Translation of taper for Spanish Speakers

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