as in decreasing
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 tapering off
Snow from this weekend's storm is tapering off, but Arctic air is set to rush in and send temperatures plunging even further across much of the country over the next couple of days.
—
Helen Graham, NBC news, 26 Jan. 2026
Snow fell throughout Sunday and was tapering off Monday.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2026
Snow showers will be possible Sunday morning, eventually tapering off by the early afternoon.
—Lauren Bostwick, CBS News, 25 Jan. 2026
The soggy weather is expected to continue through Tuesday with the heaviest downfalls tapering off by midday Monday, according to the National Weather Service.
—Deborah Netburn, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2026
For eastern Cuba, heavy rains will continue this morning, tapering off this afternoon.
—Miami Herald Hurricane Bot, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
The hot start dwindled in the second half, and after completing 10 of his first 14 passes, Loftis missed 12 of his next 22 passes, tapering off as the game got out of hand.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2025
Moreover, heavy snow will develop over the Sierra Nevada Mountains on Tuesday, tapering off by Wednesday.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Williams added that the underlying drivers of the silver market show no sign of tapering off, suggesting the bull run on silver could be sustained well into 2026.
—Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
Helen Graham, NBC news, 26 Jan. 2026
Snow fell throughout Sunday and was tapering off Monday.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2026
Snow showers will be possible Sunday morning, eventually tapering off by the early afternoon.
—Lauren Bostwick, CBS News, 25 Jan. 2026
The soggy weather is expected to continue through Tuesday with the heaviest downfalls tapering off by midday Monday, according to the National Weather Service.
—Deborah Netburn, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2026
For eastern Cuba, heavy rains will continue this morning, tapering off this afternoon.
—Miami Herald Hurricane Bot, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
The hot start dwindled in the second half, and after completing 10 of his first 14 passes, Loftis missed 12 of his next 22 passes, tapering off as the game got out of hand.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2025
Moreover, heavy snow will develop over the Sierra Nevada Mountains on Tuesday, tapering off by Wednesday.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Williams added that the underlying drivers of the silver market show no sign of tapering off, suggesting the bull run on silver could be sustained well into 2026.
—Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tapering off
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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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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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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True dandruff usually appears as larger white-to-yellow flakes with a slightly oily texture that stick to the scalp and hair rather than falling away like fine powder.—
Allure,
Allure,
18 Dec. 2025
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Like a snake shedding its skin, The Girlfriend’s expendable outer layers are falling away to reveal a more interesting core.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
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
Cite this Entry
“Tapering off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tapering%20off. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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