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
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 26 Sep. 2025
The tapered pants are available in seven colors, but are selling quickly.
—Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2025
Her tapered trousers featured a low-rise waistline, visible pleats and silk fabric for waistline and silhouette definition.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2025
The tapered silhouette gets a new look in sharply pleated wool and (faux) leather.
—Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2025
The flames surged around the buildings, igniting Italian cypresses, the tapered trees that insurance agents call Roman candles, for their propensity to burn.
—Dana Goodyear, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Designed with a tapered structure for seamless frequency balance, the overall sound is natural and free of audio distortion.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Anchored by Studio Gypsandconcrete and IDAAF Architects constructivist candleholder designs, the tapered wax flambeaus twist and turn with plantlike reliefs winding up to the top.
—Adrian Madlener, Curbed, 13 Sep. 2025
With the era’s signature tapered legs and rich, warm wood tone, this bed frame leans distinctly mid-century while still being design-agnostic enough to shift with your kid’s evolving tastes.
—Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 11 Sep. 2025
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
Plus, the side walls are slightly tapered to regulate heat and evaporation, which allows steam to escape more quickly and helps with flipping food in the pan.
—Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 6 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
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 pants are available in seven colors, but are selling quickly.
—Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2025
Her tapered trousers featured a low-rise waistline, visible pleats and silk fabric for waistline and silhouette definition.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2025
The tapered silhouette gets a new look in sharply pleated wool and (faux) leather.
—Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2025
The flames surged around the buildings, igniting Italian cypresses, the tapered trees that insurance agents call Roman candles, for their propensity to burn.
—Dana Goodyear, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Designed with a tapered structure for seamless frequency balance, the overall sound is natural and free of audio distortion.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Anchored by Studio Gypsandconcrete and IDAAF Architects constructivist candleholder designs, the tapered wax flambeaus twist and turn with plantlike reliefs winding up to the top.
—Adrian Madlener, Curbed, 13 Sep. 2025
With the era’s signature tapered legs and rich, warm wood tone, this bed frame leans distinctly mid-century while still being design-agnostic enough to shift with your kid’s evolving tastes.
—Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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
Plus, the side walls are slightly tapered to regulate heat and evaporation, which allows steam to escape more quickly and helps with flipping food in the pan.
—Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 6 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
-
Educator turnover in Wisconsin public schools has decreased from pandemic highs but remains elevated.—
Kayla Huynh,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
-
After just a few minutes on each arm, the soreness had noticeably decreased, and my arms looked more defined and less puffy, especially near the underarm area where water retention tends to settle.—
Francesca Krempa,
StyleCaster,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Whether that's because bullying would have subsided anyway or because the ordinance itself is causing kids to think twice is anyone's guess.—
Alec Johnson,
jsonline.com,
1 Oct. 2025
-
When the din inside Rams Park had finally subsided, Arne Slot attempted to put a positive spin on a wretched night for Liverpool.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The 250-acre area is known for its gradual slopes and gentle tree skiing in a scenic bowl-like setting.—
Grace Bastidas,
Parents,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Change in the industry can take many forms and is often gradual, but what matters most is honesty.—
Lauren Parker,
Sourcing Journal,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
So how the hell did that happen when cinematic box office is diminished generally?—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Cyber threats have not diminished, and CFOs are as vigilant as ever, Gallucci noted.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Rupp said the phased opening will help the staff get up to speed with less of the new restaurant pain.—
Jess Fleming,
Twin Cities,
19 Sep. 2025
-
And unlike most enterprise pilots that fail at rollout, F2 is delivered with phased onboarding, white-glove support, and enterprise-grade compliance.—
Don Muir,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Onscreen, a bridezilla sent an equivalent table soaring through a banquet hall, felling at least one chandelier.—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
3 Oct. 2025
-
They’re supposed to do fine in extreme heat and snow, though residents of other cities have had to rescue them when they’ve been felled by weather.—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Advertisement Democrats are also facing pressure from their progressive wing to hold firm after what many saw as a surrender earlier this year, when centrist Democrats joined Republicans to pass a funding extension without concessions.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Even progressive critics from the party’s activist wing are applauding Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, who are insisting that any government spending package must extend health care subsidies that are set to expire at the year’s end.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Mendes’ eased into his return with last year’s For Friends and Family Only Tour.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Criteria have been eased several times since then as the kingdom increasingly sees the need to court foreign capital.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tapered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tapered. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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