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to taper

to taper

18 4.2
To become gradually less in size or amount
  • verb
  • /ˈteɪpər/
translation icon : disminuir
  • Initially, trainers accompany clients for their whole journey, but this can taper off over time in line with a person's ability.
  • tapers off over time
  • gradually tapers
  • begin to taper

OK, I'm guessing we're tapering back down now, too.

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Examples

  • The numbers start to build a week before and taper off gradually afterward.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • The patient was placed on prednisolone and was tapered off over the following six weeks.

    Academic text (1996)
  • So they just taper down and start to get close to zero.

  • You can see they kind of taper off, but this is flat, straight up.

  • We can now aim sound to a certain distance and then have it taper off relatively quickly.

  • The damage appears to taper off further away from ground zero.

  • Showers will continue through this evening and should taper off by tomorrow morning.

  • The rate of growth tapered off somewhat in these states between 1990 and 2000.

    Academic text (2005)
  • Fortunately, the average daily frequency of contributions tapered down to a more manageable level.

    Academic text (1994)
  • The rain will taper off later in the evening, providing a clear night sky.

Synonyms

to reduce
vsto taper
1.6

To make something smaller in amount, size, or number

focuses on gradual reduction rather than any immediate cutting action
to slow down
vsto taper
687 1.4

To move or act more slowly

refers to slowing action rather than shrinking size or amount
to diminish
vsto taper
201 3.7

To become less in size, importance, or value

focuses specifically on gradual reduction in importance or size
to shrink
vsto taper
181 2.8

Become less in amount or value

is the gradual decrease idea applied specifically to quantity
to dwindle
vsto taper
72 5.1

To become smaller or less in number over time

emphasizes a gradual narrowing in size, amount, or intensity
to cut down
vsto taper
65 2.7

To make something smaller in amount or number

is mainly about slow natural decrease rather than an active cut
to fall off
vsto taper
49 2.6

Become less in number, amount, or quality

focuses on gradual tapering rather than any sudden fall
to wane
vsto taper
48 6.4

To become less in size, amount, or strength

highlights steady shrinking rather than any temporary drop
to die down
vsto taper
46 2.7

To become less strong or loud over time

applies the same gradual idea to size and amount too
to lessen
vsto taper
34 2.8

To make something smaller in amount or strength

stresses that the decrease happens slowly over time
to drop off
vsto taper
21 3.5

To become less in number or amount

is similar but highlights a steady continuous shrinking process
to pare
vsto taper
17 5.7

To make something smaller by removing small parts

is the general gradual shrinking without deliberate trimming
to dial back
vsto taper
14 4.1

Make something, like a taste, sound, or plan, less strong

describes passive gradual decrease rather than deliberate control changes
to whittle down
vsto taper
10 5.1

To make a list or group smaller by removing items over time

describes natural gradual decrease rather than active removal
to ease off
vsto taper
9 4.0

To become gradually less strong or severe

is the broader slow decrease across amount and strength
to pare down
vsto taper
9 4.4

Make something smaller by removing parts you do not need

is the broader steady decrease without a pruning focus
to attenuate
vsto taper
9 7.9

To make something weaker, like sound or light

centres on loss of strength rather than general size decrease
to taper off
vsto taper
9 4.5

To become smaller or weaker over time until it stops

describes a steady, gentle decrease rather than sudden change
to scale down
vsto taper
8 4.0

To make something smaller in size or amount

is the general slow decrease without stressing proportion
to dial down
vsto taper
4 4.1

To make a feeling, sound, or action less strong

is the steady decrease idea rather than a deliberate dialing action
to step down
vsto taper
3 4.3

Reduce something to a lower level, for example power or voltage

is the gradual narrowing down rather than a single act of lowering
to whittle away
vsto taper
3 5.9

To make something smaller gradually by cutting or wearing it away

is the gradual decrease idea without implying literal cutting
to drop away
vsto taper
2 3.3

To become less over time

is about steady decrease in size or amount rather than standards
to dwindle away
vsto taper
1 4.6

Slowly get smaller in number or amount until nothing remains

focuses on steady decrease without insisting on complete disappearance
to ratchet down
vsto taper
1 7.2

To make something less in small steps that are hard to bring back

is smoother and continuous rather than stepped or irreversible
to dwindle down
vsto taper
1 5.1

To become slowly smaller or less until almost nothing remains

is about gradual shrinking without requiring near total end

Antonyms

805 2.5

To grow larger in size, amount, or importance

Phrasal Verbs

9 4.5

To become smaller or weaker over time until it stops

Compounds

taper file
  • Specialized
8.2

A hand tool with edges that narrow to a point for shaping and smoothing metal or wood

How Much

to vanish
421 3.0
to dwindle
72 5.1
to taper
18 4.2
to decrease
325 2.0
to ease off
9 4.0

Surface Forms

taper infinitive
tapered past
tapered past participle
tapering present participle
tapers third person singular

Etymology

Taper off means to become smaller or fewer slowly. Think of a road or shape that gets narrower and narrower — that's why we use 'taper' when something decreases gradually.