How to Use taper in a Sentence

taper

1 of 2 verb
  • But its growth could taper over the next few months if the hype subsides.
    Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 1 Feb. 2023
  • It’s slightly tapered, but not tight.
    Kevin Gray, Travel + Leisure, 18 Dec. 2025
  • His Philip pants are finished with a smart cuff and tapered just right.
    Isaiah Freeman-Schub, Robb Report, 28 June 2023
  • Maybe think of it as another way to taper.
    Dan England, Outside, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Wet snow west and a rain-snow mix east should taper with time during the midday.
    Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 12 Feb. 2024
  • It’s taken twice a week for the first month, then once a week for the next month, and tapers down from there.
    Sonya Collins, Fortune Well, 4 Nov. 2023
  • The pants taper around the ankle for a loose and casual look.
    Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 29 Dec. 2025
  • Fed watchers expect the central bank will keep its plans to taper next month.
    Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2021
  • Her wide forehead tapered to a sour mouth and little pointed chin.
    Nell Freudenberger, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Healthy roots will appear moist and will taper in thickness closer to the tip.
    Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Rain to start the race, tapering to showers toward the end.
    Bill Kelly, CBS News, 22 Nov. 2025
  • And both sides feature elegant, flowy sleeves that taper at the cuffs.
    Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2025
  • Their faces taper down to a point and terminate in a very powerful nose.
    Jason Bittel, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Her subtle cat eye tapered into a short sharp point with her waterline left bare.
    Gabi Thorne, Allure, 30 June 2023
  • Just enough elastic at the ankle to be tapered without being too tight.
    Dana Leigh Smith, Glamour, 16 Jan. 2025
  • The sides taper up to help encapsulate the wine’s aroma, and a slim stem is easy to hold.
    Amanda Ogle, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2023
  • Some movement is good, and more is better, but the benefits taper at some point.
    Lydia Denworth, Scientific American, 1 May 2023
  • The rush barely tapers as the automatic rips up through its gears.
    Larry Griffin, Car and Driver, 14 May 2023
  • The jeans are more fitted at the thigh and then taper out at the ends for a leg-elongating effect.
    Nicol Natale, Peoplemag, 7 Nov. 2023
  • The light rain will slowly taper, off leaving just cloudy but dry skies through the afternoon.
    oregonlive, 3 Feb. 2022
  • The hour-glass heel is slightly tapered toward the center and flares out into a wide, round heel.
    Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The silhouette was defined by the bold square toe and a high, block-style heel that tapered slightly.
    Kelsey Stewart, Footwear News, 22 Nov. 2025
  • Scattered snow showers and high winds will taper by Monday evening.
    CBS News, 22 Feb. 2026
  • Scattered snow showers and high winds will taper by Monday evening.
    Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
  • The slim fit manages to make these cargo pants look tapered and elevated as well.
    Maverick Li, Men's Health, 28 July 2023
  • The body slightly tapers giving a feminine shape with plenty of room to move.
    Vanessa Powell, Peoplemag, 21 Sep. 2023
  • Straight pins tend to be good for more uniform work while tapered excel with delicate pastry.
    Carrie Honaker, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2024
  • As the year progresses, that frequency tapers to once every two weeks, then once a month.
    Johnny Magdaleno, The Indianapolis Star, 17 Mar. 2023
  • As its second movement tapered to a shimmering finish, a bright-blue fault in the clouds cracked open.
    Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2023
  • The mid-century modern sectional has clean lines and tapered peg legs that can blend in with most decor styles.
    Lily Gray, Peoplemag, 11 Sep. 2023

taper

2 of 2 noun
  • Ask to keep the top long with a low taper fade on the bottom.
    Cristina Montemayor, Men's Health, 4 Jan. 2023
  • Records show he was supposed to be on a methadone taper.
    Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
  • People come to him for skin fades, bald fades and taper cuts.
    Haeven Gibbons, Dallas News, 31 May 2023
  • In the case of the plastic eel, trim the tail to a slim taper.
    Anthony A. Ciuffa, Outdoor Life, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Plus, the pants taper at the knees for a more polished feel.
    Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2026
  • The taper might not be enough to get you to the start at 100%.
    Dathan Ritzenhein, Outside Online, 13 Apr. 2019
  • It would be lit with hundreds of black taper candles but still quite dark.
    Dawn Davis, Bon Appétit, 17 Jan. 2022
  • There is the slightest taper from top to bottom.
    Kathryn O’Shea-Evans, Robb Report, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Flex fits—in slim taper, slim boot and slim crop—were part of the men’s line as well as new selvedge jeans.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 16 Jan. 2026
  • Embrace green as the color of choice with these large, bright taper candles.
    Bestreviews, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Some thinning shears are also used to build a balanced taper along the back and sides of the head.
    Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 28 Feb. 2023
  • The knife taper also serves well for finesse work on small fish to get the most out of the fillets.
    Max Inchausti, Field & Stream, 30 Jan. 2023
  • Here, the torque of the Kia’s electric motors tapers, and that’s for the best.
    Daniel Golson, The Verge, 27 Oct. 2023
  • Styles span straight, relaxed taper, flare, barrel, bootcuts and wide leg.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 15 Dec. 2025
  • Look around your house for empty wine bottles to use as taper candle holders.
    Kylie Petty, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 June 2026
  • Press in center of each with thumb and taper bottom of cookie with fingers to form a heart shape.
    Bhg Test Kitchen, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Jan. 2023
  • The wide-leg silhouette tapers above the ankle with a tulip hem for an extra-stylish touch.
    Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 2025
  • Mid-rise, slim through the thighs with a taper below the knee, these khakis have an authentic look and a great fit.
    Maverick Li, Men's Health, 13 July 2023
  • The smooth curl tapers and curves upward, covering most of her right eyebrow.
    Marci Robin, Allure, 16 Aug. 2023
  • Caffeine-free pre-workout options can fill the gap during the taper.
    Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2026
  • Caffeine-free pre-workout options can fill the gap during the taper.
    Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2026
  • The taper candles are available in trendy gold or sleek black finishes.
    Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Feb. 2026
  • Make a quiet statement with this fun loopy taper candle holder.
    Angela Belt, House Beautiful, 3 Nov. 2022
  • Your sleep specialist will give you instructions for a slow taper.
    Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 21 Oct. 2022
  • The beeswax taper, available in 12 colors, looks as if it is wrapped in ribbon.
    New York Times, 12 Jan. 2022
  • Flickering tapers are lit at tables as guests settle in.
    Beth D'addono, Southern Living, 4 Aug. 2025
  • Depending on the brand, waist taper, wash and looseness will differ.
    Bestreviews, Mercury News, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Immediately behind the two seats are twin humps that taper to the trunk lid.
    Robert Ross, Robb Report, 27 Feb. 2023
  • The matte leather tunic had a straight shape, while the skirt gathered into folds that taper toward the hem.
    Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 9 Dec. 2025
  • After getting a taper fade, Ramos sat through two sessions to transform his hair.
    Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2026

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'taper.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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