taper

verb

ˈtā-pər How to pronounce taper (audio)
Definition of tapernext
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

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 taper Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda tapered jeans: $22.99 These Gloria Vanderbilt tapered jeans on Amazon are designed to hug your hips and thighs, gradually narrowing toward the ankle for a sleek look and feel. — Jené Luciani Sena, Fox News, 5 Mar. 2025 Turf scientists determined most fertilizer granules fall within the wheel tracks and taper to the edge of the distribution pattern. — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Mar. 2025 My dining room table was the other pain point—with its chairs that taper towards the back, the X8 would navigate under them and then get stuck. — Anthony Karcz, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025 Face-framing layers, as Elbaum describes them, are aptly named with layers of hair that taper down each side. — Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 13 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for taper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taper
  1. decrease
  2. subside
  3. diminish
  4. ease
  5. shrink
  6. decline
  7. fall
Verb
  • And the over-all number of abortions in the U.S. may eventually decrease as a result of Dobbs.
    — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
  • On the other hand, just 5 percent said tariffs would decrease prices in the short term, and 30 percent said the policy would lower prices in the long term.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of decrease
Verb
  • While the threat of more tornadoes has subsided in the Great Plains, fire danger remains elevated Monday in the region.
    — Ginger Zee, ABC News, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Inflation, which went wild post-Covid, subsided in February, according to data yesterday that gave markets a brief reprieve.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of subside
Verb
  • The previous six champions were all diminished the following season by either injuries or significant roster changes.
    — Jay King, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Lacy turned himself in to police on Jan. 12, but his NFL Draft prospects were significantly diminished by the wreck.
    — Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of diminish
Verb
  • Every contribution made through our GoFundMe will ease their financial burden and honor Deacon Eddie's incredible legacy of love and service.
    — Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Getting Mitchell off the ball more also balanced the offense and eased the load on Mitchell’s balky knees … and worked so well that the Cavs led the league in offensive efficiency.
    — John Hollinger, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of ease
Verb
  • Now the gap has shrunk to 5.3% behind 2024 and 35% behind 2019.
    — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 7 Apr. 2025
  • If the company stumbles—or worse, goes bust—your deferred cash could shrink or vanish.
    — Anatoly Iofe, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of shrink
Verb
  • Lone Jack Police Chief Tim Cosner, who took the helm after the 2021 crash, declined to be interviewed about why the department’s policy changed.
    — Bill Lukitsch, Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2025
  • North Little Rock police sought to charge Mary Lee Orsini with murder, but a grand jury declined to indict her -- and McArthur was credited with helping Orsini remain a free woman.
    — Tony Holt, Arkansas Online, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of decline
Verb
  • And bond market yields fall by about 150 basis points (1.5 percentage points).11 The Fed Fed Chair Powell says the Fed is waiting for the softening survey data to translate into hard data before moving toward lower interest rates.
    — Robert Barone, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Detectives kept it to themselves, instead the LAPD let the suspects think that investigators had fallen for what police perceived to be a trick.
    — Greg Fisher, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of fall

Phrases Containing taper

Browse Nearby Words

taped
taper
tape recording
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Taper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taper. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on taper

Nglish: Translation of taper for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)
See More

Popular

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
name that thing flower edition
Name That Flower Can you tell the difference between a lilac and a...
See All