noun

tapering

TAY-per-ing

Tapering (noun) means the act of reducing something in stages instead of stopping it suddenly, especially the dose of a drug. Example: “Tapering off antidepressants too quickly can bring on withdrawal symptoms.”

noun

The act of reducing something in stages instead of stopping it suddenly, especially the dose of a drug.

"Tapering off antidepressants too quickly can bring on withdrawal symptoms."

"Her doctor drew up a tapering schedule spread over three months."

sport In athletics, the planned reduction of training volume in the weeks before a race so the body arrives fresh.

"Tapering starts three weeks out from the marathon."

"He felt sluggish and restless during tapering, which is completely normal."

finance In economics, a central bank's gradual slowing of its bond-buying programme.

"Markets fell on the first hint of tapering."

"Tapering reduces new purchases; it does not sell what the bank already holds."

adjective

Growing steadily narrower towards one end.

"The tower has a tapering spire visible from the next valley."

How to Use Tapering

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishCutting something down slowly instead of stopping all at once.

When to use it

Neutral; the specific meaning depends heavily on the field.

Memory tip

Never change a prescribed dose on your own; tapering plans come from a clinician.

Common pairings

tapering off tapering schedule slow taper tapering period

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Can you complete this real example?

_____ off antidepressants too quickly can bring on withdrawal symptoms.

Synonyms

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weaning phasing out winding down step-down narrowing conical

Antonyms

abrupt cessation

Related Words

contracting narrowing weaning stenosis tapered

Rhymes for tapering

peering lowering covering offering entering altering cheering steering uttering ordering towering wavering

See all rhymes for tapering →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between tapering and stopping cold turkey?

Tapering lowers a dose in planned steps so the body adjusts as it goes. Going cold turkey stops the substance entirely at once, which for drugs such as benzodiazepines, opioids or alcohol can be dangerous as well as unpleasant.

Why do runners taper before a race?

Hard training leaves accumulated fatigue that masks fitness. Cutting the volume, while keeping some intensity, lets muscles repair and glycogen stores refill, so the fitness already built can show up on race day.

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