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
For the most part, interest in their love story has tapered off over time, except for the occasional call from a reporter around Valentine’s Day.
—
Johnny Dodd, PEOPLE, 4 June 2026
As the rain tapered off in the afternoon, the Skippers (20-2) were eager to defend their home turf.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 30 May 2026
That growth, though, has now tapered off.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 19 May 2026
Their 3-point shooting quickly tapered off for the remainder of the game.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2026
While Brent crude has tapered off from its wartime high of $126 per barrel at the end of April, prices are still more than 38% above levels seen before the Middle East conflict intensified.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 8 May 2026
Then Zabinski did the final round after the snow tapered off late Wednesday morning.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 7 May 2026
That practice tapered off as A-listers grew pickier about their brands and ever more committed to building a lasting legacy.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 4 May 2026
The 2025 event in Virginia helped bolster the coin's value for a time, but interest in the currency again tapered off.
—Lucien Bruggeman, ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
Johnny Dodd, PEOPLE, 4 June 2026
As the rain tapered off in the afternoon, the Skippers (20-2) were eager to defend their home turf.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 30 May 2026
That growth, though, has now tapered off.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 19 May 2026
Their 3-point shooting quickly tapered off for the remainder of the game.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2026
While Brent crude has tapered off from its wartime high of $126 per barrel at the end of April, prices are still more than 38% above levels seen before the Middle East conflict intensified.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 8 May 2026
Then Zabinski did the final round after the snow tapered off late Wednesday morning.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 7 May 2026
That practice tapered off as A-listers grew pickier about their brands and ever more committed to building a lasting legacy.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 4 May 2026
The 2025 event in Virginia helped bolster the coin's value for a time, but interest in the currency again tapered off.
—Lucien Bruggeman, ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tapered off
Verb
-
The sentence was decreased to 30 years weeks later.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2026
-
Brunson, meanwhile, has also received attention for his propensity to draw fouls, but his reliance in that area has decreased.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
5 June 2026
Verb
-
But by the 1960s, it was much diminished, and a later owner, Benjamin Swig, had sold close to 1,000 antiques and artworks to help pay bills.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
-
Life satisfaction went up, and loneliness diminished.—
Veronique Greenwood,
Time,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Although the heaviest fighting has subsided, the ceasefire has seen almost daily Israeli fire.—
Melanie Lidman,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
-
Not only is inflation on the rise again and currently sitting at its highest point in three years, but the hope for interest rate cuts this year has largely subsided.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
And those are the lucky ones, who weren’t felled by late-season injuries and bumped from the tournament the way Brazil’s Rodrygo, Japan’s Kaoru Mitoma and Germany’s Serge Gnabry were.—
Luke Cyphers,
Sportico.com,
11 June 2026
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There was also a giant tree stretching across Laflin Street about a block from the scene of the fire, after being felled by the storms on Wednesday.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
In response to the crisis, health policy and regulatory barriers that had long limited telemedicine fell away almost overnight.—
Iyesatta Massaquoi Emeli,
STAT,
2 June 2026
-
SpaceX Two minutes and 24 seconds after liftoff, now out of the dense lower atmosphere, the Starship upper stage's six Raptors ignited just before the Super Heavy first stage fell away.—
William Harwood,
CBS News,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tapered off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tapered%20off. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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