taper off

verb

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

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.
With fewer solar storms in the weeks following the equinox, auroral activity naturally tapered off. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024 Precipitation chances taper off by Thursday morning. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 4 Dec. 2024 The third tablet releases 1mg of extended melatonin that tapers off by the morning. Tim Chan, Variety, 21 Nov. 2024 Heavy rains are expected to move into the state in the morning hours which will taper off into showers as the day moves on, with more than an inch of rain possible by day’s end, according to the National Weather Service. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 20 Nov. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near taper off

Cite this Entry

“Taper off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/taper%20off. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

taper off

verb
: to stop or lessen gradually

More from Merriam-Webster on taper off

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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