Definitions

peter

[pee-ter] / ˈpi tər /

VERB

decrease

Synonyms

STRONG

check contract curb decay decline degenerate drain droop drop ease ebb fade lower quiet rebate settle shrink sink slash slump taper wane waste

WEAK

abate calm down crumble curtail cut down depreciate deteriorate devaluate die down diminish drop off dry up dwindle evaporate fall off lessen let up lighten lose edge modify narrow down peter out quell reduce restrain run low shrivel slack off slacken slow down soften subside tail away tail off weaken wear away wear down wither

Antonyms

STRONG

aid ascend assist build develop enlarge expand go up grow help improve increase pour raise rise strengthen stretch

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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peter

Those reports are starting to peter out now, but they could still move markets.

From Barron's ● May 11, 2026

While most experts are predicting this hantavirus outbreak will peter out, it’s not the kind of prediction you want to be wrong about either.

From Salon ● May 11, 2026

The game at that stage looked like it was going to peter out to a 0-0 draw.

From BBC ● Mar. 28, 2026

As interest rates climb, unemployment is expected to grind higher as inflation gradually grinds lower, while the recent current pickup in economic growth is set to peter out fast, according to the RBA.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 4, 2026

On the shell house balcony, down the course, Al Ulbrickson’s hopes silently soared when he saw the boat move, but the move seemed to peter out with the boys still well short of the lead.

From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown

peter

Example Sentences

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