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 As the rains tapered off and the skies cleared, Paterson's annual Dominican parade stepped off Sunday afternoon, though with a slight delay. — ABC News, 13 Sep. 2026 However, Brissett's play tapered off after he was hobbled by a knee injury. — James Boyd, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026 Activity scheduling generally follows daily circadian rhythms, so more intensive experiences are clustered in the mornings, with a smattering in the afternoon that tapers off in time for slow sunset yoga or meditation. — Jessica Ritz, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2026 Humidity should taper off by Friday as new weather patterns arrive from the Great Plains and southern Canada. — Caden Perry, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 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
  • Deaths from the virus have decreased by 36% in the past decade.
    — Philip A. Chan, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Academics and researchers have proposed a wide variety of causes for the crisis, like changes in the economy, decreasing social connections, access to firearms, and the pandemic.
    — Darius Tahir, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of decrease
Verb
  • The National Weather Service said rainfall was diminishing in the area but that rapid river rises and flooding remained possible.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The culture surrounding the use of alcohol has diminished in younger generations, at least anecdotally, Haddock said.
    — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of diminish
Verb
  • Less than a day after that subsided, a second eruption followed.
    — John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 9 Oct. 2026
  • International outrage over the carnage in Gaza, meanwhile, has largely subsided, with many countries preferring a failing peace process to none at all.
    — KHALED ELGINDY, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of subside
Verb
  • When Albin returned to the question of which country posed the greater threat to American interests, el Sayed again declined to choose between them, arguing that both had demonstrated the capacity to cause harm.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Courtesy of Heineken, 2026 Caton declined to say how many European jobs will go, citing ongoing consultation with staff and the European Works Council.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of decline
Verb
  • The gatekeepers who controlled which stories were told to the wider public are falling away.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Their floodlights were opened with a visit by a Manchester United XI in 1989 and a substantial clubhouse was opened by Sir Alex Ferguson in 1995, but attendances fell away and the ground had no host club.
    — Andy Mitten, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of fall away
Verb
  • But the opening period didn’t end without a scary moment, as Antetokounmpo fell hard on his back side after being fouled on a dunk attempt late in the first quarter.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Shares of Oracle fell about 9% amid a broader downturn for stocks of top AI stakeholders.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of fall
Verb
  • Ukraine's leader warned that easing sanctions without a commitment from Russia to de-escalate the war will only prolong it.
    — Azhar Sukri, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The pull strap seen above that light eases removal of the top panel.
    — Thomas Soderstrom, PC Magazine, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of ease

Browse Nearby Words

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 16 Oct. 2026.

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