TAPER OFF Synonyms: 76 Similar and Opposite Words

taper off

verb

Definition of taper off

as in to decrease

to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually at this time of the year, light begins to taper off a little earlier each day

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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 off The rain will be tapering off and skies will be clearing in the afternoon. — Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 17 July 2026 The rain was expected to taper off, but another round of showers worsened already swollen rivers and flooded rural communities near the border with Mexico that had largely been spared major damage. — Jesse Bedayn, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026 After delivery, the hair starts shedding at what can seem like an alarming rate—but this will taper off in about 6 to 12 months. — Isabel Lopez, Parents, 14 July 2026 The large multi-state outbreak in 2013 went from June to August before tapering off. — Joseph Hernandez, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for taper off

Recent Examples of Synonyms for taper off

Verb

The researchers’ models suggest that areas near the escarpment could have lost as much as 8 kilometers of rock, with erosion decreasing farther away from the ancient cliff.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026
An early positive working relationship has been struck with Ross Wilson, the sporting director, and the pair usually speak multiple times every day, although their volume of conversations may decrease slightly once the transfer window closes.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of decrease

Verb

The term refers to when tobacco companies in the 1990s were forced to pay billions of dollars for misleading the public about the safety and potential harms of their products, and subsequently saw their power and influence dramatically diminished.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026
The filter significantly diminishes elements commonly found in water that can be damaging, like chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, heavy metals, and more.

— Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of diminish

Verb

Washington and Tehran agreed in June to a 60-day ceasefire, allowing time to negotiate a more durable peace deal while active fighting subsided and the Strait of Hormuz could be reopened.

— Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
The drama of last year’s Ole Miss team under Lane Kiffin has subsided.

— PJ Green August 16, Kansas City Star, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of subside

Verb

Watts declined Rolling Stone’s multiple requests for an interview and did not specifically address a majority of questions posed to him in a detailed request for comment.

— Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026
When first baseman Triston Casas suffered a season-ending injury in May, Devers declined to learn the position despite Boston’s dearth of options.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of decline

Verb

While players would often flourish on first arriving in McCullum’s dressing room, Root is the only one whose average has not fallen away.

— Ben Jones, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
And once data is sent outside the system covered by HIPAA, the HIPAA limits fall away.

— Jennifer D. Oliva, The Conversation, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of fall away

Verb

When night falls, another show begins with a dedicated corner of the estate designed for stargazing.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
Zinc ions enter the electrode first at higher voltages, while much smaller protons are stored later as the voltage falls.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of fall

Verb

The deployment of more than 1,500 soldiers to protect Michoacán’s avocado-growing region and recent arrests of people allegedly involved in extortion have eased concerns, but only partially.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
The bad blood between West Ham and Sheffield United over the Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano saga has eased over the years, but the rivalry will reconvene in Yorkshire on December 4.

— Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of ease

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tapering off

taper off

tapers

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“Taper off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taper%20off. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of taper off

verb

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