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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as in stepped
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Recent Examples of tapered
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
The cropped, tapered silhouette is slightly more elevated than your average sweatpants, while still looking effortless.
—Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2025
So just a tapered square for me personally.
—Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 7 Oct. 2025
With clean lines, chevron tufting, and tapered legs, this piece blends modern and mid-century style for a timeless look that works with just about any décor.
—Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
Kim Petras brought a dose of fetish romanticism to Paris on Saturday, arriving at Ann Demeulemeester’s spring 2026 show in the house’s Hilla boots — a silver lace-up ankle style set on a tapered stiletto heel.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 4 Oct. 2025
The Contor is a futuristic take on the Arc—a style with asymmetric tapered legs and twisted side and inseams.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 26 Sep. 2025
The tapered silhouette gets a new look in sharply pleated wool and (faux) leather.
—Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2025
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
Each module contains four ultra-pure germanium crystals, tapered into hexagonal shapes, and cooled to about minus 300 degrees Fahrenheit cryogenic temperatures for optimal performance.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
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
The cropped, tapered silhouette is slightly more elevated than your average sweatpants, while still looking effortless.
—Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2025
So just a tapered square for me personally.
—Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 7 Oct. 2025
With clean lines, chevron tufting, and tapered legs, this piece blends modern and mid-century style for a timeless look that works with just about any décor.
—Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
Kim Petras brought a dose of fetish romanticism to Paris on Saturday, arriving at Ann Demeulemeester’s spring 2026 show in the house’s Hilla boots — a silver lace-up ankle style set on a tapered stiletto heel.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 4 Oct. 2025
The Contor is a futuristic take on the Arc—a style with asymmetric tapered legs and twisted side and inseams.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 26 Sep. 2025
The tapered silhouette gets a new look in sharply pleated wool and (faux) leather.
—Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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
Each module contains four ultra-pure germanium crystals, tapered into hexagonal shapes, and cooled to about minus 300 degrees Fahrenheit cryogenic temperatures for optimal performance.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tapered
Verb
-
In early January, the restuarant closed for two weeks to regroup after sales decreased by 37%.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Drake claimed the single irreparably damaged his reputation and decreased his brand’s value.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
By day 10, my entire nervous system was hijacked—every fiber of my being was at ease, and all cravings subsided.—
Essence,
Essence,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Once the brouhaha subsided, the players said their final farewell to each other and headed back into the locker room.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Alfred Nobel’s vision of disarmament, by contrast, emphasizes the gradual reduction of armaments and the building of mutual trust between nations.—
Nina Græger,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
-
The immediate post-facial glow was noticeable, but the more gradual improvements came from regular, at-home use.—
Samantha Leal,
StyleCaster,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The coming of age has not diminished Reich’s capacity to articulate complex political and economic issues in clear language.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Bean and squash yields (as measured by weight) were reduced when intercropped with maize, while maize yields were only slightly diminished when intercropped.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The plan calls for $19 million in phased infrastructure projects within five years.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Oct. 2025
-
The framework envisions a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the return of all hostages, and a major prisoner exchange.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This was the club felled by Pete Alonso’s shocking home run last autumn.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
-
However, the miniature accessories didn’t seem to stop a group of humans from felling and butchering the elephant.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Its politics tend to be a battle between center-left and progressive factions, subsidized by the stratospheric wealth of policy-shaping tech and real-estate billionaires.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Political observers say Sheffield’s achievements are notable for a council member who was more progressive and radical in her ideas in a city with a strong-mayor form of government and law department that serves both the mayor and the council.—
Violet Ikonomova,
Freep.com,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
While ongoing talks between Washington and Beijing had eased access somewhat, trade tensions were simmering ahead of the latest flare-up on Friday.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
12 Oct. 2025
-
His administration has seen some success; inflation in Argentina eased this year to the slowest monthly pace in more than four years.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tapered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tapered. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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