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
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
After crunching the data, the researchers found that the most effective way of going off antidepressants and preventing a relapse in depression was doing slow tapering (again, over more than four weeks), combined with therapy sessions.
—Korin Miller, SELF, 12 Dec. 2025
Patients typically follow a 12-week course, starting with five sessions per week for three weeks, then tapering to two or three sessions weekly for the remaining nine weeks.
—Kamal Choudhury, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025
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
After crunching the data, the researchers found that the most effective way of going off antidepressants and preventing a relapse in depression was doing slow tapering (again, over more than four weeks), combined with therapy sessions.
—Korin Miller, SELF, 12 Dec. 2025
Patients typically follow a 12-week course, starting with five sessions per week for three weeks, then tapering to two or three sessions weekly for the remaining nine weeks.
—Kamal Choudhury, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tapering
Verb
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Supports Heart Health Magnesium and turmeric together may reduce the risk of heart disease by decreasing inflammation, improving circulation, and supporting cardiovascular function.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Verywell Health,
29 Jan. 2026
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Back then, debasement was done by decreasing the amount of precious metals within gold and silver coins that were used as currency and increasing the amount of cheaper base metals, like copper.—
Davis Giangiulio,
CNBC,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Beyond the curse of high expectations, other headwinds that weighed on Eaton's shares appear to be subsiding, including capacity expansion.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
31 Dec. 2025
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Hurricane conditions are occurring within the warning area in Cuba but expected to begin subsiding this afternoon.—
MIAMI HERALD HURRICANE BOT,
Miami Herald,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But while the statement is getting a lot of attention, the far bigger story in Ottawa is the team’s diminishing playoff odds.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
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The committee’s Democratic members savaged Rubio for diminishing America’s global role; the meeting grew so rancorous that Senator Jim Risch, a Republican from Idaho who was Rubio’s closest friend in the Senate, had to repeatedly bang his gavel to bring order.—
Dexter Filkins,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Observers expected Powell to follow that tradition, especially after the Fed reappointed the regional presidents, easing fears that Trump would purge them to stack the Federal Open Market Committee with his loyalists.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
12 Jan. 2026
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Gusty north winds are expected that day before gradually easing on Thursday.—
Lauren Bostwick,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The company‘s core broadband business continues declining as customers abandon cable for wireless 5G alternatives.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
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Arnaout believes the absence of Maher took a mental toll on Wael which led to his health declining.—
Nicquel Terry Ellis,
CNN Money,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But absent any concerning signs that the labor market is falling a cliff, the Fed will also likely turn to inflation data for the cue on when to lower rates again.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
28 Jan. 2026
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But their story appears to be falling apart.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The task force called for increased and more stable funding for fireworks disposal, noting costs nearly doubled in 2024 amid a shrinking disposal industry and rising seizures.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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The strategy involves shrinking membership, raising prices, cutting benefits and increasing transparency to restore profitability — along with the company’s reputation — after a series of hurdles over the last two years.—
Annika Kim Constantino,
CNBC,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tapering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tapering. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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