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
Julia Teti, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2025
The legs are more tapered for a flattering finish, and the midweight fabric is a dream for the colder weather.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2025
The Starship lander, by contrast is a silo-like cylinder with a tapered nose cone, measuring 165 feet tall, weighing more than 200,000 pounds and calling to mind less an actual spacecraft than the 1953 illustrated book about Tintin’s adventures on the moon.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
This is a midsize glass with a tapered rim.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2025
Unlike standard rolling pins, the French style uses tapered edges instead of handles for even smoother dough.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2025
The tapered grips are slim but not short, leaving plenty of space for your hands to move around and adjust on the bars.
—Lily Ritter, Outside, 10 Oct. 2025
Its creamy texture spreads beautifully, the tapered point defines lips effortlessly, and the 12-color shade range is home to nudes, pinks, and reds that flatter a variety of skin tones (something else McGrath is known for nailing).
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 10 Oct. 2025
Thanks to their tapered shape, the baskets are easy to slide under furniture or onto a shelf and add organic charm to any room corner that needs a little organization.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Oct. 2025
Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2025
The slouchy button-front cardigan pairs effortlessly with the matching straight-leg pants tapered at the ankle.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 22 Oct. 2025
On another occasion, he was spotted with another blue baseball cap and the back and sides of his head were obviously tapered.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
As was the case last season, Bunce has not tapered down the intensity of many sessions, with the opposite sometimes being the case.
—George Caulkin, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Beneath her trenchcoat, Hadid wore a pair of indigo tapered jeans, coordinated with a white collared shirt for a quiet luxury aesthetic.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2025
In a photo released by the company, a pair of the whales can be seen breaching the choppy surface, pointing their smooth, tapered heads into the air.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
Indeed, Kipping has modified his own original design, removing the tether and joining the paddles in a single structure, tapered on either side.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Growth has been a highlight, with revenues increasing at an average annual rate of nearly 184% over the past three years, significantly exceeding the S&P 500; however, more recent growth has tapered to low single digits.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
To coordinate with her wife, Betts wore a sleek suit, featuring tapered trousers, a velvet, single-breasted blazer with sharp lapels coordinated with a pair of black sunglasses.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2025
The legs are more tapered for a flattering finish, and the midweight fabric is a dream for the colder weather.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2025
The Starship lander, by contrast is a silo-like cylinder with a tapered nose cone, measuring 165 feet tall, weighing more than 200,000 pounds and calling to mind less an actual spacecraft than the 1953 illustrated book about Tintin’s adventures on the moon.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
This is a midsize glass with a tapered rim.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2025
Unlike standard rolling pins, the French style uses tapered edges instead of handles for even smoother dough.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2025
The tapered grips are slim but not short, leaving plenty of space for your hands to move around and adjust on the bars.
—Lily Ritter, Outside, 10 Oct. 2025
Its creamy texture spreads beautifully, the tapered point defines lips effortlessly, and the 12-color shade range is home to nudes, pinks, and reds that flatter a variety of skin tones (something else McGrath is known for nailing).
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 10 Oct. 2025
Thanks to their tapered shape, the baskets are easy to slide under furniture or onto a shelf and add organic charm to any room corner that needs a little organization.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
Gomez opted for her signature long almond nail shape, tapered ever-so-slightly to keep them feeling both elegant and polished.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2025
The slouchy button-front cardigan pairs effortlessly with the matching straight-leg pants tapered at the ankle.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 22 Oct. 2025
On another occasion, he was spotted with another blue baseball cap and the back and sides of his head were obviously tapered.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
As was the case last season, Bunce has not tapered down the intensity of many sessions, with the opposite sometimes being the case.
—George Caulkin, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Beneath her trenchcoat, Hadid wore a pair of indigo tapered jeans, coordinated with a white collared shirt for a quiet luxury aesthetic.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2025
In a photo released by the company, a pair of the whales can be seen breaching the choppy surface, pointing their smooth, tapered heads into the air.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
Indeed, Kipping has modified his own original design, removing the tether and joining the paddles in a single structure, tapered on either side.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Growth has been a highlight, with revenues increasing at an average annual rate of nearly 184% over the past three years, significantly exceeding the S&P 500; however, more recent growth has tapered to low single digits.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tapered
Verb
-
Silver There was a time when owning silver was a rite of passage and, while its panache has decreased in recent year, there's still inherent value in this precious metal.—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Symptoms include pain, swelling, stiffness, and decreased joint mobility.—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This is partly because many states don’t immediately enforce legislation for all children, allowing for gradual phase-in periods.—
Anthony Bald,
The Conversation,
3 Nov. 2025
-
But gradual increases are now visible.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In Texas, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funds to stem a measles outbreak weren't available until after the crisis had subsided and two children had died.—
Amy Maxmen,
ABC News,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Floods in Cebu City had subsided late on Tuesday but power was still out in many places and telecommunications services were intermittent, a Reuters journalist in Cebu said.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Trump’s grandiose peace plan still ended up phased and conditional – granting the Israeli leader political leeway with his hardline coalition.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
11 Oct. 2025
-
The plan calls for $19 million in phased infrastructure projects within five years.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Rainfall has diminished across Jamaica.—
MIAMI HERALD HURRICANE BOT,
Miami Herald,
29 Oct. 2025
-
However, the 26-year-old’s potential never materialized, leaving Vrabel to explain in late August why White’s role had diminished late in training camp.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Advertisement Her victory also carries national implications for Democrats, who are struggling to chart a path between progressive energy and centrist caution ahead of the 2026 midterms.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
-
One person familiar with Tuesday’s heated discussion within the caucus says there appears to be at least eight Democratic votes to reopen the government — even though progressive Democratic senators vented their frustration with the potential deal.—
Alexander Bolton,
The Hill,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The at-bats were brief and uneventful, the opposite of the approach that carried Toronto to this stage and felled Snell in Game 1.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
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That says a lot about the 2025 Red Sox, who were a top offensive team in many metrics, but were also felled by their bats in crucial spots throughout the year and postseason.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But as the rain eased and the track dried, Button found a rhythm nobody else could match.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
28 Oct. 2025
-
After several downpours fueled by tropical moisture from the Pacific Ocean, Arizona’s short-term drought has finally eased, at least a little.—
Hayleigh Evans,
AZCentral.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tapered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tapered. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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