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 will continue through Thursday afternoon and evening before tapering off from northwest to southeast.
—
Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 8 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
The season continues through May and June, tapering off after early July, when snow starts to deteriorate.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 25 Sep. 2025
The system is expected to start to show late Wednesday, with the brunt hitting on Thursday before tapering off Friday and into the weekend.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 16 Sep. 2025
Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 8 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
The season continues through May and June, tapering off after early July, when snow starts to deteriorate.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 25 Sep. 2025
The system is expected to start to show late Wednesday, with the brunt hitting on Thursday before tapering off Friday and into the weekend.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tapering off
Verb
-
For women, this meant decreasing intake to about 400 to 600 calories three days per week, while men reduced calories to around 500 to 700.—
Sarah Garone,
Health,
9 Jan. 2026
-
An expensive habit with a decreasing ROI.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Before the night was out, Germans began chipping away at the barrier, carrying off chunks of one of the symbols of the diminishing Iron Curtain.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Business leaders say that such policies risk accelerating an exodus of companies, diminishing the city’s commercial tax base, and ultimately affecting services and jobs essential to millions of New Yorkers.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
According to the company, the declining profits stemmed from low drug reimbursement rates and slow retail sales.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
9 Jan. 2026
-
After all, there are signs that the economy is improving (unemployment and inflation are declining), but after the economic struggles of recent years, and with household debt still high, an additional financing source won't hurt, either.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Shop my favorite airport looks for winter travel below, with each outfit falling at or below $100.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tapering off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tapering%20off. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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