as in decreasing
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
Relevance
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 tapering
The virus peaked sharply in January and remains elevated in early March, although the seasonal winter wave is now tapering.
—
Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 6 Mar. 2026
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
Predawn temps will settle into the upper 40s and low 50s, which is ideal for runners squeezing in their final long training run before tapering in preparation for next weekend’s Austin Marathon and Half Marathon.
—Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 6 Feb. 2026
After tapering any doomscrolling habits, focus some of your newfound energy on the good by joining a charity, dance class or nature walk routine.
—Hunter Boyce, AJC.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Gradually tapering your dose can help, doctors say.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
Inflation hit a two-year high in January 2025, before tapering down over the course of the year.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 22 Jan. 2026
At Kauffman, the left- and right-field walls will be moved in by 9 to 10 feet, starting close to the foul poles and tapering toward the center field wall, which will remain 410 feet from home plate.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026
The outfield wall will come in eight to 10 feet starting in the outfield corners and tapering toward center field, where the wall will remain 410 feet from home plate (keeping Kauffman one of the deepest parks to straightaway center).
—Chad Jennings, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 6 Mar. 2026
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
Predawn temps will settle into the upper 40s and low 50s, which is ideal for runners squeezing in their final long training run before tapering in preparation for next weekend’s Austin Marathon and Half Marathon.
—Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 6 Feb. 2026
After tapering any doomscrolling habits, focus some of your newfound energy on the good by joining a charity, dance class or nature walk routine.
—Hunter Boyce, AJC.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Gradually tapering your dose can help, doctors say.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
Inflation hit a two-year high in January 2025, before tapering down over the course of the year.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 22 Jan. 2026
At Kauffman, the left- and right-field walls will be moved in by 9 to 10 feet, starting close to the foul poles and tapering toward the center field wall, which will remain 410 feet from home plate.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026
The outfield wall will come in eight to 10 feet starting in the outfield corners and tapering toward center field, where the wall will remain 410 feet from home plate (keeping Kauffman one of the deepest parks to straightaway center).
—Chad Jennings, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tapering
Verb
-
There are some recent signs that HALO trading has been decreasing.—
Devika Rao,
TheWeek,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Luckily, Sleep Week brings the best mattress sales, at least partially decreasing the strain on your wallet.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But, by the end of May, the issue was not subsiding.—
Evan Grant,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Mar. 2026
-
By Wednesday, the disruptions seemed to be subsiding, with nearly 200 grounded, according to the flight tracking website FlightAware.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Puerto Rico is missing Francisco Lindor and Carlos Correa due to insurance restrictions, considerably diminishing their firepower, but have solid pitching and the advantage of playing at home in their group stage.—
J.J. Bailey,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Palomar’s 48 partner agencies are similarly affected by diminishing VOCA funds.—
Maddy Keyes,
The Frontier,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Whether the spike proves temporary remains uncertain as the war shows few signs of easing.—
Nur Hikmah Md Ali,
CNBC,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Meanwhile, Iranian retaliatory attacks appear to be declining — ballistic missile strikes have fallen by 90% and drone attacks by 83%, according to US Central Command — potentially easing pressure on Gulf states that have faced Iranian strikes in recent days.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And the financial incentive for workers to take the leap to a new job has been steadily declining for years, as employees cling to their roles and hiring stagnates.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
12 Mar. 2026
-
For city officials, the agreement marks the most significant progress yet in their efforts to see the Sunrise Mall redeveloped from a declining retail center into a vibrant, mixed-use property with housing, entertainment and hotels.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Last week, the Washington State Department of Health halted the recreational and commercial harvest of clams, oysters and mussels in Drayton Harbor after receiving multiple reports of people falling ill after consuming raw shellfish from the area.—
Jasmine Mendez
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
-
In the meantime, racecourse attendances remain below pre-pandemic levels and the industry’s costs are rising, while betting revenue is falling.—
Ian King,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Over recent years, Illinois has seen a flock of corporations flee to more tax-friendly locations, which means shrinking tax collections and fewer employees to contribute to the income- tax pool.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
-
But results from the new polls indicate the likelihood of that happening is shrinking.—
Grace Hase,
Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tapering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tapering. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
