as in to decrease
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
at this time of the year, light begins to taper off a little earlier each day
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Recent Examples of taper off
Iran’s missile-and-drone volleys are tapering off somewhat as launchers are destroyed and inventories expended, but Shaheds are so simple that Iran will likely be able to keep manufacturing and firing them in small numbers nearly indefinitely.
—
Brynn Tannehill, The Atlantic, 4 Mar. 2026
Southern California’s mosquito season typically begins in early May, with the insect’s activity tapering off around October.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2026
After the initial surge following the Tuesday Instagram post upping the reward, the number of calls to the sheriff's department has tapered off, sources said.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026
As hundreds of students filed out of the auditorium and back to class, their chatter filled the room before gradually tapering off.
—Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for taper off
Brynn Tannehill, The Atlantic, 4 Mar. 2026
Southern California’s mosquito season typically begins in early May, with the insect’s activity tapering off around October.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2026
After the initial surge following the Tuesday Instagram post upping the reward, the number of calls to the sheriff's department has tapered off, sources said.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026
As hundreds of students filed out of the auditorium and back to class, their chatter filled the room before gradually tapering off.
—Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for taper off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taper off
Verb
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The biodiversity also decreased by 32 percent.—
Lauren Sommer,
NPR,
13 Mar. 2026
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The closure is part of the North Aurora Road Improvement Project, an intergovernmental construction project being done by Naperville Township, the cities of Naperville and Aurora to improve pedestrian and bicycle access and decrease traffic congestion and crashes in the area.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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After a decade of dramatic growth, homelessness programs now face a period of diminishing resources.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
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Advocates say that level of disenrollment will sharply diminish the state’s health care system as a whole, by robbing hospitals and clinics of revenue.—
Andrew Graham
March 9,
Sacbee.com,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Winds were predicted to subside in the evening hours on Saturday before picking back up on Sunday morning, albeit at lower speeds than Saturday morning.—
Austin Turner,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 2026
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The settling of chairs subsided, people shifted into comfortable postures, some laid out on the carpet.—
Sofia Zarran,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Scientists disagree on whether these young trees will mature into forest giants or decline due to drought and a warming climate.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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But exactly how the tragedy unfolded has remained unclear and the Pentagon has declined comment, saying the investigation remains ongoing.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The specks of warmth salvaged from the inside of the patrol car, which had clung to his skin under his gray sweatpants and hooded striped sweatshirt, soon fell away.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
8 Mar. 2026
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As the song churns on, the focus narrows in on West until everything else falls away.—
Jayson Greene,
Pitchfork,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Additionally, the Hudson Farmers' Market draws local growers and makers with fresh produce, baked goods, cheeses, and flowers on Saturdays from spring to fall.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
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The Hurricanes came oh-so-close before falling short, 92-89.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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His administration has already promised to release the nation’s oil reserves to relieve pressure and has eased sanctions on Russian oil, to the consternation of European leaders.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Mar. 2026
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The step aims to free up Russian cargoes stranded at sea and ease supply shortages caused by the Iran war.—
SYLVIE CORBET,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Taper off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taper%20off. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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