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
On Saturday, Ventura County could see wind gusts between 20 and 30 mph, and isolated gusts of 40 mph, starting in the mid-morning and tapering off later in the afternoon.
—
Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Storms may organize along frontal boundaries, continuing into the evening before tapering off.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026
The security line situation could be tapering off.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 30 Mar. 2026
Players Era’s rapid expansion plans could be tapering off.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 29 Mar. 2026
In Houston’s climate, some pollen may appear as early as January, but concentrations typically peak in early to mid-spring before tapering off.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Houston Chronicle, 24 Mar. 2026
The roadside assistance and insurance provider says that fuel economy for most cars peaks at 50 mph before tapering off.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
The storm will make travel in the foothills and mountains difficult on Friday before tapering off Friday night.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 6 Mar. 2026
Iran’s missile-and-drone volleys are tapering off somewhat as launchers are destroyed and inventories expended, but Shaheds are so simple that Iran will likely be able to keep manufacturing and firing them in small numbers nearly indefinitely.
—Brynn Tannehill, The Atlantic, 4 Mar. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Storms may organize along frontal boundaries, continuing into the evening before tapering off.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026
The security line situation could be tapering off.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 30 Mar. 2026
Players Era’s rapid expansion plans could be tapering off.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 29 Mar. 2026
In Houston’s climate, some pollen may appear as early as January, but concentrations typically peak in early to mid-spring before tapering off.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Houston Chronicle, 24 Mar. 2026
The roadside assistance and insurance provider says that fuel economy for most cars peaks at 50 mph before tapering off.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
The storm will make travel in the foothills and mountains difficult on Friday before tapering off Friday night.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 6 Mar. 2026
Iran’s missile-and-drone volleys are tapering off somewhat as launchers are destroyed and inventories expended, but Shaheds are so simple that Iran will likely be able to keep manufacturing and firing them in small numbers nearly indefinitely.
—Brynn Tannehill, The Atlantic, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tapering off
Verb
-
There are three Elvi (Tyler Hanes, Colton Sims and Charles Adler Bischoff at the Marriott, in decreasing order of age).—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
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Despite being a required vaccine in all states to attend public school, rates have been steadily decreasing over the last decade, CDC data shows.—
Arthur Jones II,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Murray can breathe a sigh of relief that Nickeil Alexander-Walker left Minnesota for greener pastures in free agency last summer, diminishing the Wolves’ on-ball defensive firepower.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Opposition parties warn that basing constituencies on population could shift political power toward faster-growing northern states, while diminishing the parliamentary representation, seat share and overall influence of southern regions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But there were no signs that the conflict was subsiding.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Mar. 2026
-
But, by the end of May, the issue was not subsiding.—
Evan Grant,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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On Wednesday, Mikel Arteta’s side face Bayer Leverkusen, who sit sixth in the Bundesliga after falling away since their famous unbeaten title-winning season in 2023-24.—
Conor O'Neill,
New York Times,
10 Mar. 2026
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That means some of the oddball stuff that had a moment toward the end of the Peak TV boom is falling away, sadly — no one’s greenlighting something as off kilter as The OA or Servant these days.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office also reviewed evidence from West Jordan before declining to file charges.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
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Birth rates and fertility trends The administration is overhauling Title X in the context of declining birth rates.—
Dr. Céline Gounder,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
By 2025, Anderson — then 59 and nearing completion of her bachelor’s degree — was failing classes and falling behind on bills.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
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The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) says lead paint is falling from six Baltimore-area bridges and contaminating waterways.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tapering off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tapering%20off. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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