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
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
Instead of a flowy, wide-leg silhouette, these pants feature a streamlined, tapered fit through the legs, all while keeping the same flexible, comfort-first waistband of most linen pant styles.
—Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 10 Apr. 2026
Morning rain showers on Friday should taper for a few hours of midday sunshine before rain chances increase again in the afternoon.
—Anthony Edwards, San Francisco Chronicle, 10 Apr. 2026
The company eventually abandoned that approach, selling the product through retailers, but sales still tapered out.
—Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for taper
Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 12 Apr. 2026
Instead of a flowy, wide-leg silhouette, these pants feature a streamlined, tapered fit through the legs, all while keeping the same flexible, comfort-first waistband of most linen pant styles.
—Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 10 Apr. 2026
Morning rain showers on Friday should taper for a few hours of midday sunshine before rain chances increase again in the afternoon.
—Anthony Edwards, San Francisco Chronicle, 10 Apr. 2026
The company eventually abandoned that approach, selling the product through retailers, but sales still tapered out.
—Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for taper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taper
Verb
-
For example, Social Security retirement benefits could decrease and pensions could stay the same.—
Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,
CNBC,
15 May 2026
-
As more time passes from the peak of the solar cycle, auroral activity will decrease.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Although fighting largely subsided weeks ago, the Strait of Hormuz, remains blocked.—
Diaa Hadid,
NPR,
16 May 2026
-
That skepticism never fully subsided.—
Alonzo Martinez,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Page cited a combination of federal funding cuts, skyrocketing health care costs, diminishing enrollment and more behind the budget constraints, while local teachers cited local investment issues as well.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
19 May 2026
-
Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
These included shelf registration, relaxed international capital controls, eased restrictions on bank deposits, the rise of index and money market funds, lax oversight of corporate mergers and takeovers, and the creation of banking free-trade zones.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 May 2026
-
The best thing policymakers can do is advance regulation that eases the burden of starting a new business.—
Rachyl Jones,
semafor.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
In a market flooded with AI tools that look similar on the surface, clarity about the actual job to be done is the fastest way to shrink a long list of candidates to a short one.—
Eilon Reshef,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
Her strike zone shrank and pitchers treated the heart of it like live ammunition.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
McGrail says Janet declined and put an end to the evening.—
Peter Van Sant,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
-
Schoenbrun’s third feature, Teenage Sex & Death at Camp Miasma stars Einbinder as an enthusiastic young director who is tasked with resurrecting the Camp Miasma slasher franchise after years of subpar sequels and declining fandom.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Only two were earned, but they were all deserved after Rodón fell apart in the third frame.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
17 May 2026
-
Chelsea’s squad demographic falls somewhere in between but is probably closer to the former than the latter, and a football legend with his resume should not encounter the authority problems faced by owner BlueCo’s previous hires.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Taper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taper. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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