taper off

verb

tapered off; tapering off; tapers off
Synonyms of taper offnext
: taper
housing starts tapered off in the fall

Synonyms of taper off

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Examples of taper off in a Sentence

at this time of the year, light begins to taper off a little earlier each day
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Humidity should taper off by Friday as new weather patterns arrive from the Great Plains and southern Canada. — Caden Perry, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2026 Al-Deek says relief can come from a few different directions — hormone replacement therapy, switching to a different antidepressant, adjusting your dose or tapering off the medication altogether. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 28 Aug. 2026 Any lingering precipitation should taper off by evening as skies gradually clear and temperatures fall into the mid-60s overnight. — The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Sun, 28 Aug. 2026 If gravel tapers off at the edges of your garden, weeds will easily find their way into the soil below and germinate. — Teresa Woodard, Midwest Living, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for taper off

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of taper off was in 1848

Rhymes for taper off

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Browse Nearby Words

taperness
taper off
taper pin
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Taper off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/taper%20off. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

taper off

verb
: to stop or lessen gradually
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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