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
Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 3 May 2026
These jeans have a tapered slit on the ankles, which will instantly shine a spotlight on your shoes.
—Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Just look at the tapered legs on the base and minimalist cabinet doors with antique brass hardware.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 28 Apr. 2026
Clean Candle Wax Off of Fabric Anyone who has ever used tapered candles during a dinner party knows the frustrations of cleaning candle wax out of a tablecloth.
—Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 23 Apr. 2026
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
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
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
Rather than a straight block or thin stiletto, it was built like a short, tapered column, fuller under the sole, narrowed through the middle and opened slightly again at the floor.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 3 May 2026
These jeans have a tapered slit on the ankles, which will instantly shine a spotlight on your shoes.
—Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Just look at the tapered legs on the base and minimalist cabinet doors with antique brass hardware.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 28 Apr. 2026
Clean Candle Wax Off of Fabric Anyone who has ever used tapered candles during a dinner party knows the frustrations of cleaning candle wax out of a tablecloth.
—Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 23 Apr. 2026
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
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
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
-
At an optimal dosage of 10 g/L, the lag phase of hydrogen production decreased by about 50%, and the specific hydrogen yield increased by roughly 33%, according to researchers.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 May 2026
-
Wealthy Russians, Ukrainians, and northern Europeans snapped up properties, too—though visitors from the Russian-speaking world have decreased since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war.—
Rebecca Rose,
Travel + Leisure,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
These reactions form unstable layers and consume the electrolyte, which leads to the gradual degradation of the battery cell materials over time.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
9 May 2026
-
In the sport channel, Smith remained solid while Blenders’ performance improved, thanks to the ongoing development of its wholesale business and a gradual recovery in its direct‐to‐consumer channel.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
While the heaviest fighting has subsided, the shaky truce has been interrupted by almost daily Israeli fire.—
Melanie Lidman,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
-
The family’s anger has subsided some since the baby’s death, in part because of their trust in God’s plan.—
Duaa Eldeib,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
CrossBoundary is developing a $250 million solar-and-storage project for Ivanhoe’s Kamoa-Kakula, with phased delivery expected toward full capacity by the third quarter this year.—
Ruben Nyanguila,
semafor.com,
6 May 2026
-
The phased demolition of the Lincolnwood Town Center is expected to begin in May, with demolition of the building most recently known as Harlem Furniture, located on the southeast side closest to McCormick Boulevard.—
Pioneer Press,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The unlikely union lasted 10 years and the mutual admiration between the two famed figures never diminished.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
-
While the immediate flood threat has diminished, rain is expected to persist along the Mid-Atlantic coast.—
Francie Ebert,
NBC news,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
European dance music rhythms collide with contemporary hip-hop deliveries and progressive metal bass undertones as if they were always meant to coalesce.—
Miki Hellerbach,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
-
While progressive Democrats are pushing to tax billionaires and close corporate loopholes, Republicans are warning that squeezing job creators will severely damage Illinois’ economy.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
But they were felled by poor shooting Friday, making just 35% overall and were particularly bad from long range.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
-
But before he was felled at age 68 by a heart attack, Joiner had shared what was in the briefcase with the lead Louisiana State Police investigator on the case, Stefan Montgomery, Joiner's son and the LSP confirmed.—
Stephanie Gosk,
NBC news,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Those fears have eased somewhat in recent months as some Democratic candidates advance from the pack.—
Dakota Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
-
Restrictions were partially eased in February before being tightened again after the US and Israel struck Iran on February 28.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tapered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tapered. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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