tapered
8 synonyms and 2 antonyms for tapered, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Becoming gradually narrower towards one end.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adjective
Becoming gradually narrower towards one end.
“The trousers are tapered from the knee down.”
Opposites
2. verb
Past tense of taper: to reduce something gradually rather than stopping it at once.
“The clinic tapered his dose over eight weeks.”
How to Use Tapered
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From taper, originally a slender wax candle, from Old English tapor, probably from Latin papyrus, whose pith was used for wicks; the narrow candle shape gave the word its meaning of gradual narrowing.
Full origin of tapered →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between tapered and slim-fit trousers?
Slim-fit trousers are cut narrow all the way down the leg. Tapered trousers keep more room through the hip and thigh and only narrow below the knee, which is why they suit fuller legs better.
What does 'tapered off' mean?
It means something decreased steadily until it stopped or nearly stopped. It is used for rain, noise, sales, crowds and medication, and always implies a gradual fade rather than an abrupt end.