TAPERING OFF Synonyms: 76 Similar and Opposite Words

tapering off

verb

present participle of taper off

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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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of tapering off The first-round showers and storms will move eastward through the rest of Saturday morning with the activity tapering off in the early afternoon. — Lauren Bostwick, CBS News, 6 June 2026 For most movies, the opening weekend is the most lucrative, with ticket sales tapering off from there. — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 31 May 2026 Overnight showers and thunderstorms are tapering off across the Kansas City metro, but forecasters say the bigger concern comes later Monday, when severe weather is likely, the National Weather Service said. — Kansas City Star, 18 May 2026 Showers could linger into Wednesday night before gradually tapering off, with cooler air settling in and lows dropping into the 50s. — Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 4 May 2026 There may be some consolation in the fact that some housing experts, like Cotality's chief economist, Selma Hepp, think that the recent period of skyrocketing housing costs may be tapering off. — Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tapering off

Verb

But the population of mule deer has been steadily decreasing since the 1970s, leading some scientists to theorize that the newly resurgent wolves are relying on other prey, including beavers, rabbits and livestock, the 2021 report states.

— Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026
On Sunday, there is a 15% to 30% chance of rain, with the chances decreasing throughout the day.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026

Definition of decreasing

Verb

The afternoon started tough until the wind kept subsiding, and players began taking aim at flags.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026
Weather service and public safety officials said the safest thing to do is to stay away from the beaches altogether until the southern swells start subsiding.

— Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 19 June 2026

Definition of subsiding

Verb

But the memorandum drafted between Kyiv and Washington on an early-stage drone deal appears to suggest those obstacles may be falling away.

— Aidan Stretch, CBS News, 12 May 2026
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

Definition of falling away

Verb

There has been a lot of hand-wringing about the declining population of Los Angeles County, which lost 54,000 people from July 2024 to July 2025, the biggest numeric population drop in the nation during that period, by far.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
For years now, Olathe Schools has talked about its problem of declining enrollment.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026

Definition of declining

Verb

The skyscraper has been the subject of multiple complaints, including allegations of falling debris and unsafe conditions, records show.

— Kelly McCleary, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
After receiving a report of bricks falling from the 37-story building, fire officials said two columns had buckled on the 21st and 22nd floors, while floors were sagging between the 21st and 26th floors.

— Jane Onyanga-Omara, USA Today, 8 July 2026

Definition of falling

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tapering off

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“Tapering off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tapering%20off. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of tapering off

verb

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