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
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 off
Although the violence has tapered off, the hotel’s front doors remain locked.
—
Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2025
Tens of thousands of people have been killed, although violence has tapered off in recent years.
—Fayaz Bukhari, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
The first, called quiescence, relies on environmental cues — when temperatures plummet, metabolism automatically tapers off.
—Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 8 Mar. 2025
The Twin Cities office of the National Weather Service expects more rain and drizzle for the metro on Wednesday, with a high of 51
Rain showers are likely for most of the area today, the Twin Cities office of the National Weather Service reports, but will taper off from north to south tonight.
—John Autey, Twin Cities, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for taper off
Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2025
Tens of thousands of people have been killed, although violence has tapered off in recent years.
—Fayaz Bukhari, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
The first, called quiescence, relies on environmental cues — when temperatures plummet, metabolism automatically tapers off.
—Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 8 Mar. 2025
The Twin Cities office of the National Weather Service expects more rain and drizzle for the metro on Wednesday, with a high of 51
Rain showers are likely for most of the area today, the Twin Cities office of the National Weather Service reports, but will taper off from north to south tonight.
—John Autey, Twin Cities, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for taper off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taper off
Verb
-
As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
1 June 2025
-
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
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Full-time workers declined by 623,000, while part-timers rose by 33,000.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
Unleashed managed to last exactly two years before falling away for good.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
-
After each passing June, after each frustrating postseason exit, the middle ground falls away.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
27 May 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
Verb
-
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
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Taper off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taper%20off. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share