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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Recent Examples of taper
The overall hair do was cropped to the head, with glossy, shiny bangs split down the middle, with a length that tapers shorter toward the edges of her face.
—
Aamina Inayat Khan, StyleCaster, 26 Sep. 2024
The integrated bracelet sits flush with the outer edge of the lug, creating a broad presence on the wrist, while tapering enough to feel graceful at the same time.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 13 Sep. 2024
Fall allergy season typically tapers when frost arrives in late October or early November.
—Arika Herron, Axios, 19 Sep. 2024
The wide-leg jeans, also called balloon or horseshoe jeans, flare at the thighs and taper at the ankles.
—Antonio Fuentes, Glamour, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for taper 
Aamina Inayat Khan, StyleCaster, 26 Sep. 2024
The integrated bracelet sits flush with the outer edge of the lug, creating a broad presence on the wrist, while tapering enough to feel graceful at the same time.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 13 Sep. 2024
Fall allergy season typically tapers when frost arrives in late October or early November.
—Arika Herron, Axios, 19 Sep. 2024
The wide-leg jeans, also called balloon or horseshoe jeans, flare at the thighs and taper at the ankles.
—Antonio Fuentes, Glamour, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for taper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taper
Verb
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Selling and marketing expenses decreased to $0.03 million from $0.23 million, primarily due to a decrease in sales revenue.Quartz Bot, Quartz, 15 Nov. 2024
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Two items better known for cleaning swimming pools and moisturizing dry skin might help protect the Earth’s corals and decrease antibiotic resistance and pollution in the ocean.Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 14 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Storm surge, wind and rain should subside on the island Wednesday night as Rafael traverses the Gulf of Mexico.Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
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Yes, but: The boom in business that the pandemic provided as consumers sought testing and vaccines subsided by 2023— pushing both Walgreens and CVS to make massive investments in primary care delivery to secure their future in health care.Claire Rychlewski, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
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As new ways become familiar, employees recognize their advantages, and resistance gradually diminishes.Peter Follows, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
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Black Lives Matter is severely diminished as an institution.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Exercise will ease stress and encourage you to kick back, evaluate and conclude what’s best for you.Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
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Getting outside and going on a walk or run is certainly one way to get some fresh air and ease your mind.Carolyn Burt, Orange County Register, 11 Nov. 2024
Verb
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If all four Democratic gains stand, the GOP majority in the Senate would shrink to 18-15.Lawrence Andrea, Journal Sentinel, 20 Nov. 2024
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Twenty-two years later, that overwhelming majority had shrunk to 37%, according to census data cited by a city dashboard.Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Frank, who turns 70 next year, is quoted in the series but declined to participate further.Angela Andaloro, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
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Balancing a business that’s declining but still throws off lots of cash with new streaming imperative has been the top consideration for media companies and a very knotty one.Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Valor recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock after that as Regis fell a win short of the quarterfinals for the second year in a row.Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 17 Nov. 2024
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That’s in part because Democrats fell short in their bid to flip enough battleground districts in Southern California and the Central Valley to help the national party win a majority.Grant Stringer, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near taper
Cite this Entry
“Taper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taper. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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