as in decreasing
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 tapering
Predawn temps will settle into the upper 40s and low 50s, which is ideal for runners squeezing in their final long training run before tapering in preparation for next weekend’s Austin Marathon and Half Marathon.
—
Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 6 Feb. 2026
After tapering any doomscrolling habits, focus some of your newfound energy on the good by joining a charity, dance class or nature walk routine.
—Hunter Boyce, AJC.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Gradually tapering your dose can help, doctors say.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
Inflation hit a two-year high in January 2025, before tapering down over the course of the year.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 22 Jan. 2026
At Kauffman, the left- and right-field walls will be moved in by 9 to 10 feet, starting close to the foul poles and tapering toward the center field wall, which will remain 410 feet from home plate.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026
The outfield wall will come in eight to 10 feet starting in the outfield corners and tapering toward center field, where the wall will remain 410 feet from home plate (keeping Kauffman one of the deepest parks to straightaway center).
—Chad Jennings, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Rain throughout the region is expected through Tuesday with the storm tapering.
—Deborah Netburn, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2026
Cut with a curved outer seam that balloons slightly through the thigh before tapering at the ankle, the shape is all about creating volume.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 29 Dec. 2025
Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 6 Feb. 2026
After tapering any doomscrolling habits, focus some of your newfound energy on the good by joining a charity, dance class or nature walk routine.
—Hunter Boyce, AJC.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Gradually tapering your dose can help, doctors say.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
Inflation hit a two-year high in January 2025, before tapering down over the course of the year.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 22 Jan. 2026
At Kauffman, the left- and right-field walls will be moved in by 9 to 10 feet, starting close to the foul poles and tapering toward the center field wall, which will remain 410 feet from home plate.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026
The outfield wall will come in eight to 10 feet starting in the outfield corners and tapering toward center field, where the wall will remain 410 feet from home plate (keeping Kauffman one of the deepest parks to straightaway center).
—Chad Jennings, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Rain throughout the region is expected through Tuesday with the storm tapering.
—Deborah Netburn, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2026
Cut with a curved outer seam that balloons slightly through the thigh before tapering at the ankle, the shape is all about creating volume.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 29 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tapering
Verb
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The bill prohibits cities and counties from decreasing funding for public safety, which representatives from the local governments say isn’t possible.—
Alexandra Glorioso,
Miami Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
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The goal is to minimize traffic spillover onto surrounding streets while providing more reliable travel times for people in cars and freight trucks and decreasing travel times for buses.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Though snowy conditions are subsiding, the impacts of the storm will linger in the coming days—especially as many regions that saw snowfall are beginning the week with single-digit temperatures.—
Simmone Shah,
Time,
26 Jan. 2026
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Sausalito crews set up a 4-inch pump near Gate 5 Road in the city’s northernmost neighborhood, where the grounds have been subsiding.—
Steven Rosenfeld,
Mercury News,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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All there is to do, sometimes, is know in your heart of hearts that a nuanced piece of literature and a provocative and deviant piece of pop culture can exist alongside each other without one diminishing the other.—
Pamela Avila,
USA Today,
15 Feb. 2026
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The airport’s current name is widely recognized and respected, and altering it would only create confusion while diminishing the local identity.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Ultimately, easing the ageing‑asset backlog will require activity across both ends of the market.—
Sunaina Sinha Haldea,
Fortune,
14 Feb. 2026
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Inflation cooled more than expected in January, capping a week of promising economic data, easing pressure on the White House, which has faced political criticism about the economy.—
Andrew Ackerman,
Washington Post,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Trump has broken with custom by declining to invite all governors to the traditional White House meeting and dinner.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Feb. 2026
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Today, magnet programs have become a general recruitment strategy in a school system with declining enrollment.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Be cautious of ice accumulating on power lines or tree branches, which can lead to snapping and falling hazards.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
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Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Industrial push The race to perfect robots and automate is part of Beijing’s sweeping push to upgrade the country’s manufacturing capabilities and defend its position as the world’s factory floor in a new era of high tech, rising labor costs and a shrinking workforce.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
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When snowpack runs low, the effects ripple months later — shrinking reservoirs, stressed supplies, and tougher water decisions as temperatures rise.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tapering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tapering. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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