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
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
The powder blue car was shaped like a torpedo, with Rolls-Royce’s unmistakable vertical grille, an open cockpit and a rear that tapered like a dove.
—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
14 Apr. 2026
On either side, the bodice of Blanchett's gown split into two billowing sleeves that tapered at her wrists.
—
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
12 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for taper
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
The powder blue car was shaped like a torpedo, with Rolls-Royce’s unmistakable vertical grille, an open cockpit and a rear that tapered like a dove.
—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
14 Apr. 2026
On either side, the bodice of Blanchett's gown split into two billowing sleeves that tapered at her wrists.
—
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
12 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for taper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taper
Verb
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Plus, new windows are more energy efficient than old ones, meaning a summer installation can decrease your energy bill now and when temperatures drop in the fall and winter.
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Doubles players fear for their tennis future after being told by the ATP Tour that prize money and tournament sizes will decrease significantly starting in 2028.
Verb
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Without tick bites, red meat, or dairy to incite it, the immune response will subside eventually.
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A little light headedness was the only immediate side effect for a first-timer, but that quickly subsided.
Verb
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Historically, after that period, the chances of survival without a water source diminish rapidly.
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Prolonged exposure to heat can lead to insufficient or poor sleep, compromising the immune system, increasing the risk for cardiovascular disease and diminishing cognitive performance.
Verb
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Despite hot, humid conditions, a respectable crowd has already gathered, with organizers expecting attendance to grow as temperatures ease later this evening.
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This would let traffic flow, which is so necessary for the vitality and economy of Chicago; provide a safer route for bikers; and ease the frustration of all of those on the streets of Chicago.
Verb
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The reason is that the administration has shrunk the requirements for reports of immunization from states, changing the reports from mandated to voluntary.
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Just verify messages directly, use a password manager, turn on account alerts and shrink the personal data brokers keep on you.
Verb
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After years of declining sales, American Girl dolls are seeing a resurgence.
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In May, during a tense commission meeting, a majority of commissioners declined to give her a raise after her first year on the job.
Verb
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The woman fell about 1,500 vertical feet, from around 12,000 feet to about 11,500 feet.
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The report will also provide insight into whether American workers’ paychecks are falling further behind inflation.
Cite this Entry
“Taper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taper. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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