as in decreased
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
at this time of the year, light begins to taper off a little earlier each day
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Recent Examples of tapered off
The analysis showed bacterial diversity recovered the fastest in the first two years after people took antibiotics; the rate of recovery tapered off after that point.
—
Lori Youmshajekian, Scientific American, 11 Mar. 2026
After the initial surge following the Tuesday Instagram post upping the reward, the number of calls to the sheriff's department has tapered off, sources said.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026
The questions about the interceptions have tapered off with his high schoolers.
—Jeff Howe, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Things tapered off down the stretch.
—D. Orlando Ledbetter, AJC.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Lastly, Vanderbilt transfer JaQualon Roberts has an opportunity to make an immediate impact after his play-time with the Commodores tapered off in his sophomore season.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 30 Oct. 2025
Most areas saw trace amounts of rainfall, less than a tenth of an inch, before the showers tapered off by midmorning.
—Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 22 Oct. 2025
One patient had suffered a horrific motorcycle injury and eventually tapered off opioids with the help of cannabis.
—NPR, 20 Oct. 2025
In order to reconcile some of the cost increases, a large swathe of American fashion companies have frontloaded inventory—a phenomenon first seen during the winter and spring months, which tapered off as the China tariffs took effect.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 20 Oct. 2025
Lori Youmshajekian, Scientific American, 11 Mar. 2026
After the initial surge following the Tuesday Instagram post upping the reward, the number of calls to the sheriff's department has tapered off, sources said.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026
The questions about the interceptions have tapered off with his high schoolers.
—Jeff Howe, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Things tapered off down the stretch.
—D. Orlando Ledbetter, AJC.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Lastly, Vanderbilt transfer JaQualon Roberts has an opportunity to make an immediate impact after his play-time with the Commodores tapered off in his sophomore season.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 30 Oct. 2025
Most areas saw trace amounts of rainfall, less than a tenth of an inch, before the showers tapered off by midmorning.
—Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 22 Oct. 2025
One patient had suffered a horrific motorcycle injury and eventually tapered off opioids with the help of cannabis.
—NPR, 20 Oct. 2025
In order to reconcile some of the cost increases, a large swathe of American fashion companies have frontloaded inventory—a phenomenon first seen during the winter and spring months, which tapered off as the China tariffs took effect.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 20 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tapered off
Verb
-
In the past forty years, men’s wages have decreased as a percentage of over-all family income, while broader wealth inequalities and job insecurity have grown.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
In two of six Minneapolis areas, overall crime decreased 43% and 56% respectively, while, in all other areas, overall crime rose.—
Eric Adler
March 29,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Still, those sorts of phony statements have deeply diminished faith in our elections and our increasingly rickety democracy.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
How diminished will their opportunities for success be in the real world?—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Workers discovered a grave containing human remains beneath tiles after part of the floor of St Peter and Paul Church subsided in February, triggering a race to identify the skeleton through DNA testing.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Government officials say new detentions have subsided since then, as the number of ICE officers in Minnesota has receded from a high of around 3,000 to close to their previous levels of over 100.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
With a hollow interior trunk, Stumpy was among 158 trees felled in 2024 as part of a project aimed at shoring up a sea wall near the National Mall.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
25 Mar. 2026
-
And to be sure, there were winds and rain strong enough to fell several trees, flood a few roads, and knock out power in some Maryland and Virginia suburbs.—
Scott Simon,
NPR,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Old differences fell away, and the two got along well.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
-
But, in the process, the funding fell away, Davis said.—
Debra Skodack,
Kansas City Star,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tapered off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tapered%20off. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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