taper off

verb

Definition of taper offnext
as in to decrease
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually at this time of the year, light begins to taper off a little earlier each day

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 off There will be some periods of heavy rain, especially south of Philadelphia through midday, but right now the rain looks to start to taper off during the afternoon hours. — Grant Gilmore, CBS News, 26 June 2026 And several of the unflattering stats have tapered off a ton this last year, including sacks taken (27 in 2025, down from 62 in 2023). — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 24 June 2026 In 2018, RepoNut content tapered off. — Paige Williams, New Yorker, 22 June 2026 In some cases, patients who no longer wish to take the medication because of inconvenience or side effects can slowly taper off, eventually discontinuing medication altogether. — Lev Facher, STAT, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for taper off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taper off
  1. decrease
  2. diminish
  3. subside
  4. decline
  5. fall away
  6. fall
  7. ease
Verb
  • Doing so would inevitably raise the price of the shoes, and the performance-to-value ratio that’s such a big appeal now would decrease.
    — Scott Douglas, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026
  • As traffic in the waterway decreases, the oil market is facing the same squeeze that has taken millions of barrels offline per day since March.
    — Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
Definition of decrease
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
  • 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
  • During the initial June 11 to June 20 period, revenue per room rates fell in the Miami area on eight of ten nights compared to 2025 while occupancy declined on every one of the 10 nights, according to CoStar.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
  • MedStar Washington Hospital Center cites financial pressure and declining birth rates.
    — Kendall Staton, Washington Post, 17 July 2026
Definition of decline
Verb
  • Conventional launch vehicles secure their payloads inside protective fairings that fall away from the rocket completely once damaging aerodynamic forces disappear in the vacuum of space.
    — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 15 July 2026
  • Once inside The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, entered via Pearson Street, the Mag Mile bustle falls away, replaced by a glassy aerie with views of the John Hancock Center.
    — Rima Suqi, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026
Definition of fall away
Verb
  • Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026
  • Micron Technology sank 8%, Intel lost more than 4%, while Lam Research and Advanced Micro Devices each fell about 3%.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 16 July 2026
Definition of fall
Verb
  • The Comfier Shiatsu Back Massager has dual motors and 3D massage rollers that travel along an extended track to target your upper back, lower back or both at once, while soothing heat therapy helps ease muscle tension.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026
  • Wall Street’s support for Netflix is wavering after the streaming platform’s latest results on Thursday failed to ease concerns over slowing growth, with a number of analysts slashing price targets for the stock.
    — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 17 July 2026
Definition of ease

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tapering off
taper off
tapers
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Cite this Entry

“Taper off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taper%20off. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on taper off

Nglish: Translation of taper off for Spanish Speakers

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