tapered

American  

[tey-perd] / ˈteɪ pərd /

adjective

1. becoming gradually thinner, narrower, or smaller toward one end.

   The tapered table leg has long been a classic design.

   The wine’s bouquet hit our nostrils the moment we opened the elegantly tapered bottle.

2. reduced gradually over time.

   Once the allergic reaction had been alleviated, the patient was discharged with a tapered steroid dose and scheduled for outpatient follow-up.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of taper.

Other Word Forms

• untapered adjective

Etymology

Origin of tapered

First recorded in 1620–30; taper ¹ ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; taper ¹ ( def. ) + -ed ¹ ( def. ) for the verb sense

Example Sentences

For now, though, the prospect of diplomatic negotiations appears to have tapered off the threat of an imminent military spat between the two countries.

From Barron's

These claims had risen steadily for several years and almost reached a post-pandemic high of 2 million last fall, but they have since tapered off.

From MarketWatch

Inflation has tapered to 1.7% annually, which may impel the European Central Bank to cut interest rates below their current 2%.

From Barron's

The tooth, which was wide at the base, tapered to a wicked point.

From Literature

Then, as fishing and farming seasons tapered off, many ventured upstream to find seasonal work along the wider stretches of the river.

From Literature

Related Words

• cramped
• definite
• limited
• precarious
• precise
• slender
• slim
• small
• thin
• tight