as in stepped
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as in decreased
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
you'll find the symptoms begin tapering gradually about 24 hours after you take the medicine
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Recent Examples of tapered
Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2026
The long, tapered length adds to the edgy effect.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 12 Apr. 2026
The Lou & Grey Heathered Scubasoft Joggers are about to be your new in-flight uniform, featuring a tapered silhouette and stretchy elastic waistband that moves with you.
—Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2026
This lightweight dress is effortlessly beautiful with refined details, including a smocked waistline that creates a tapered silhouette.
—Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026
Others have already been assembled and outfitted with their tapered nosecones, and are ready to be stacked atop a first-stage booster, taking final shape as SpaceX’s 40-story Starship rockets.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 28 Mar. 2026
Kirk and other retailers say that sales of tabletop items — everything from tapered candles to plates — are rapid-fire growth drivers, outpacing other categories of decor like bedding and decorative objects.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026
Slimmer and tapered cuts (like the ones below) look great on petite frames.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 24 Mar. 2026
This dripping results in most of the water freezing at the base, with less freezing at the tip, giving it a tapered shape.
—Ray Petelin, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2026
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2026
On either side, the bodice of Blanchett's gown split into two billowing sleeves that tapered at her wrists.
—Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 12 Apr. 2026
Instead of a flowy, wide-leg silhouette, these pants feature a streamlined, tapered fit through the legs, all while keeping the same flexible, comfort-first waistband of most linen pant styles.
—Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 10 Apr. 2026
The company eventually abandoned that approach, selling the product through retailers, but sales still tapered out.
—Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Dynamic contrasts were boldly drawn, but phrases and passages were also beautifully tapered, up and down, when they were meant to.
—Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 22 Mar. 2026
Cheetahs have tapered limbs with a lower moment of inertia, which should make running more efficient.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
Elevated four feet at the highest point, the steps tapered to the ground and left enough space for the dog to retreat.
—Scott Haugen, Outdoor Life, 4 Feb. 2026
Her wide forehead tapered to a sour mouth and little pointed chin.
—Nell Freudenberger, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
The car’s most eye-catching feature is arguably its tapered posterior.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2026
The long, tapered length adds to the edgy effect.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 12 Apr. 2026
The Lou & Grey Heathered Scubasoft Joggers are about to be your new in-flight uniform, featuring a tapered silhouette and stretchy elastic waistband that moves with you.
—Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2026
This lightweight dress is effortlessly beautiful with refined details, including a smocked waistline that creates a tapered silhouette.
—Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026
Others have already been assembled and outfitted with their tapered nosecones, and are ready to be stacked atop a first-stage booster, taking final shape as SpaceX’s 40-story Starship rockets.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 28 Mar. 2026
Kirk and other retailers say that sales of tabletop items — everything from tapered candles to plates — are rapid-fire growth drivers, outpacing other categories of decor like bedding and decorative objects.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026
Slimmer and tapered cuts (like the ones below) look great on petite frames.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 24 Mar. 2026
This dripping results in most of the water freezing at the base, with less freezing at the tip, giving it a tapered shape.
—Ray Petelin, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2026
Verb
The powder blue car was shaped like a torpedo, with Rolls-Royce’s unmistakable vertical grille, an open cockpit and a rear that tapered like a dove.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2026
On either side, the bodice of Blanchett's gown split into two billowing sleeves that tapered at her wrists.
—Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 12 Apr. 2026
Instead of a flowy, wide-leg silhouette, these pants feature a streamlined, tapered fit through the legs, all while keeping the same flexible, comfort-first waistband of most linen pant styles.
—Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 10 Apr. 2026
The company eventually abandoned that approach, selling the product through retailers, but sales still tapered out.
—Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Dynamic contrasts were boldly drawn, but phrases and passages were also beautifully tapered, up and down, when they were meant to.
—Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 22 Mar. 2026
Cheetahs have tapered limbs with a lower moment of inertia, which should make running more efficient.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
Elevated four feet at the highest point, the steps tapered to the ground and left enough space for the dog to retreat.
—Scott Haugen, Outdoor Life, 4 Feb. 2026
Her wide forehead tapered to a sour mouth and little pointed chin.
—Nell Freudenberger, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tapered
Verb
-
Palestinian voter turnout has gradually decreased over the past elections.—
SAM METZ,
Arkansas Online,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The issue has broad effects, affecting not just the victim but families, co-workers and community while harming mental and physical health, causing decreased productivity and decreasing one’s quality of life.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The effect appeared gradual and cumulative over time.—
Mira Miller,
Verywell Health,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The rollout is expected to mark a gradual transition from testing environments to real-world deployment of fully unmanned driving systems.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
After the chaos subsided and guests were allowed back into the festival, Wilson’s performance was the set everyone needed to put the night back into place.—
Brian Blueskye,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
-
And while the conflict in the Middle East temporarily warded off deflation, the gains have since subsided as Chinese industry continues to run below capacity, the chief economist for Asia Pacific at French bank Natixis argued.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Create phased repair plans for critical maintenance over 10 years.—
Devyani Chhetri,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Construction, which will include an exterior remodeling, is expected to begin later this year with phased openings, including additional retail, dining and wellness concepts, in 2028.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
For those who have been advocating for more telework protections since 2024, their fervor hasn’t diminished.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Broadband, long the savior of the sector as video footprints have diminished, has also shown signs of weakness over the past year or two.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Knock on doors, raise money for progressive candidates, and mobilize your friends, neighbors, colleagues and acquaintances.—
Robert B. Reich,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Despite taking a progressive stand on labor, the Church nonetheless defended industrialization and private-property rights, forging a middle way that rejected both unfettered capitalism and socialism.—
Elias Wachtel,
The Atlantic,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In the piece, the Vicar of Christ is felled not by his oppressors but rather by a random cosmic event.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Jeff Shell, now felled from his presidency of Paramount, is living proof.—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
It's eased the way to deport migrants to countries other than their own.—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
25 Apr. 2026
-
BigXthaPlug brought big energy to Stagecoach on Friday, as the afternoon sun eased into the early evening.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tapered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tapered. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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