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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of taper
By tapering the metal base, the setting reduces visible metal and allows more light to reach the stone.
—
Malana Vantayler, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
The outfield gaps will move from 387 feet to 379 and taper back toward center field, which remains at 410 feet.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 24 Feb. 2026
Besides preventing mold and mildew, cleaning will also taper unpleasant odors and prevent cracking and crumbling of your seal.
—Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 21 Feb. 2026
Renderings show a singular, slender tower, which subtly tapers towards its apex.
—Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for taper
Malana Vantayler, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
The outfield gaps will move from 387 feet to 379 and taper back toward center field, which remains at 410 feet.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 24 Feb. 2026
Besides preventing mold and mildew, cleaning will also taper unpleasant odors and prevent cracking and crumbling of your seal.
—Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 21 Feb. 2026
Renderings show a singular, slender tower, which subtly tapers towards its apex.
—Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for taper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taper
Verb
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Declining spring precipitation and rising temperatures have caused the Colorado’s flow to decrease by nearly 20 percent over the past quarter century.—
Mira Rojanasakul,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
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After the 15th Street bike lanes were constructed, bicycle injury crashes decreased by 91 percent, according to the District Department of Transportation.—
Liam Scott,
Washington Post,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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My awe had barely subsided when, two minutes later, James got the ball, raced just past the free-throw line, and took flight.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2026
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And that dispute has not subsided.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But Waddle’s production diminished the past three years because of myriad factors, including Tagovailoa’s regression, some drops by Waddle and Hill commanding more targets before his September injury last year.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
17 Mar. 2026
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Israel’s indie film industry is diminished, squeezed between endless conflict, global boycotts over Gaza and defunding threats from the country’s right-wing government, and hopes are slim for a presence in Cannes this year.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Lines for films eased and the number of brand activations thinned, but celebrities were still circulating — Leslie Mann and Maude Apatow grabbed Terry Black’s on Wednesday.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
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How to help ease allergy symptoms Check pollen counts.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Nexstar-Tegna merger will accelerate exactly that trend, concentrating broadcast power in fewer corporate hands, shrinking independent editorial voices and prioritizing national business interests over local needs.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Mar. 2026
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Gravitational waves are usually hunted by measuring distance—how space itself stretches and shrinks ever so slightly.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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One person sustained minor injuries but declined hospitalization.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
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Over the next 25 years, East Asia, Europe, and Russia will all experience significant population declines.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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By late Sunday night into Monday midday, a strong cold front clears the region, ending the storms and bringing gusty winds with falling temperatures through the day.—
Andrew Kozak,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
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Outside of Wall Street, stock indexes fell sharply in Europe following their wipeouts on Thursday.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Taper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taper. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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