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
In Tuesday’s opening, Dominguez was dressed in a dark, gray suit and steel blue tie, with his haircut was neatly tapered and kept long at the collar.
—
Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 5 May 2025
The slim body and tapered toe of its Belgian loafer, fittingly named Jacques, is now available in perforated leather ($401), allowing plenty of air in and heat out while retaining enough structure to be worn in the evening.
—Nick Hendry, Robb Report, 30 Apr. 2025
It’s made from a dark wood and has eye-catching detailing like tapered turned legs and fluting on the drawers to add a touch of sophistication to a living room.
—Clara McMahon, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Featuring a trendy barrel leg silhouette, these pants are wider around the hips and thighs and slightly tapered toward the ankle.
—Bria McNeal, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for taper
Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 5 May 2025
The slim body and tapered toe of its Belgian loafer, fittingly named Jacques, is now available in perforated leather ($401), allowing plenty of air in and heat out while retaining enough structure to be worn in the evening.
—Nick Hendry, Robb Report, 30 Apr. 2025
It’s made from a dark wood and has eye-catching detailing like tapered turned legs and fluting on the drawers to add a touch of sophistication to a living room.
—Clara McMahon, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Featuring a trendy barrel leg silhouette, these pants are wider around the hips and thighs and slightly tapered toward the ankle.
—Bria McNeal, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for taper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taper
Verb
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These students, many already at an educational disadvantage, are left with instability, fewer learning opportunities and decreased academic performance.—
Lakeisha Wells Palmer,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 June 2025
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As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
1 June 2025
Verb
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So much oil got sucked out of the port and its neighborhoods that the ground started to subside, in some places yards deep.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2025
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There was a slight uptick in turnovers in the postseason, but that must subside against the Thunder.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
20 May 2025
Verb
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Augmenting Human Relationships with AI AI's role in enhancing efficiency does not diminish the need for human expertise in B2B interactions.—
John Bruno,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
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The 25-year-old’s sample might be small, but in an era of diminishing workloads, Zack Wheeler and Max Fried are the only current starters averaging 6 1/3 innings.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
Verb
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That same year, the FDA further eased several conditions with respect to the prescribing and sale of mifepristone.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
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Faced with growing international pressure, Israel eased its blockade two weeks ago, allowing a small amount of aid to enter Gaza, to be distributed through UN channels as well as through GHF.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
3 June 2025
Verb
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First, Musk taking on the president so publicly could further shrink the car maker’s customer base by angering Trump backers.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
6 June 2025
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The states sued after the administration terminated over 1,000 grants and placed 85% of AmeriCorps' staff on administrative leave with the intent to terminate them effective June 24 as part of a push by Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency to shrink the federal government.—
Nate Raymond,
USA Today,
6 June 2025
Verb
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The April 11 ruling came during a hearing in Maryland, where a Justice Department attorney declined to provide basic details about Abrego Garcia’s whereabouts.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
7 June 2025
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Full-time workers declined by 623,000, while part-timers rose by 33,000.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
6 June 2025
Verb
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In May 2022 — three years ago — Caltrans estimated that the project would cost $433 million, meaning that in addition to falling behind schedule, the cost has gone up by about $96 million in that time.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2025
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In 2023, the number of fatalities fell slightly, to six fatal boating incidents resulting in seven deaths, according to state data.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Taper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taper. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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