as in decreases
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 tapers
Most mascara brushes seem to be getting chunkier, but Lash Latex features a notably slim brush that tapers toward the tip.
—
Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 28 Jan. 2026
The upper gradually tapers away toward the back of the foot, leaving the heel exposed in an easy-on mule style.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 8 Jan. 2026
The snow Friday tapers a bit in the early evening before ramping up in the overnight hours into Saturday morning.
—Lauren Whitney, CBS News, 4 Dec. 2025
What Happens Next Industry analysts predict that gas prices may continue to dip as refineries complete maintenance and fuel demand tapers further during the winter months.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025
Its unusual shape is part boat prow, part clothing iron, thanks to a long, narrow triangular lot that tapers to a point at the southern end.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 29 Sep. 2025
Also, the relaxed fit that tapers around the ankle offers a leg elongating look that’s perfect for petites.
—Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 18 Sep. 2025
Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 28 Jan. 2026
The upper gradually tapers away toward the back of the foot, leaving the heel exposed in an easy-on mule style.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 8 Jan. 2026
The snow Friday tapers a bit in the early evening before ramping up in the overnight hours into Saturday morning.
—Lauren Whitney, CBS News, 4 Dec. 2025
What Happens Next Industry analysts predict that gas prices may continue to dip as refineries complete maintenance and fuel demand tapers further during the winter months.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025
Its unusual shape is part boat prow, part clothing iron, thanks to a long, narrow triangular lot that tapers to a point at the southern end.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 29 Sep. 2025
Also, the relaxed fit that tapers around the ankle offers a leg elongating look that’s perfect for petites.
—Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tapers
Verb
-
Conductance decreases exponentially as the molecule gets longer, meaning longer molecules carry less current.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
31 Jan. 2026
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These include older adults (partly because the skin’s ability to synthesize vitamin D decreases with age) and people with certain medical conditions such as celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and other disorders that interfere with the body’s ability to absorb dietary fat.—
Stacey Colino,
Time,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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At others, the episode tails off; dialogue subsides into silence, as though by default.—
Dan Sheehan,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
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Lahey said normal response to intense emotional stress typically subsides quickly.—
Donna Vickroy,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Perception of risks diminishes, perhaps not entirely, but enough to misperceive the balance of challenge versus ability.—
Christopher Ferguson,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Brewer starts fast, eases past Granbury Carter Scott scored 15 of his game-high 21 points in the second half as Fort Worth Brewer jumped out to an early lead and then cruised to a 79-44 win over Granbury in a District 5-5A game on Tuesday.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Feb. 2026
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Departing from Moynihan Train Hall in the heart of Manhattan, the train eases out from beneath the skyline before slipping into New Jersey, where city boroughs gradually give way to quieter suburbs.—
Abby Price,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Each failure reinforces migration, which in turn shrinks the tax base, accelerating decline.—
Israel Melendez Ayala,
Time,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Due to rosters being stacked with elite talent, the margin for error shrinks instantly.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Only a few are still running Commissioner Natalie Orbis, who also sponsored the measure, said the buses were sold to the public as both an environmental win and a cost-saving investment — but that promise falls apart if the buses break down far more often than their diesel counterparts.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
31 Jan. 2026
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Rachel Perry, PhD, has spent most of her scientific life thinking about how the body moves energy around—how glucose rises and falls, how tissues compete for fuel, and how metabolism shifts during illness.—
Avi Patel,
Hartford Courant,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Using rolling peaks, which measure declines from the most recent market high rather than calendar periods, the S & P 500 has gone 185 days without a 10% drawdown, a stretch that, by itself, does not signal an imminent correction.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
26 Jan. 2026
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Calls for repeal come with leaders of Balboa Park museums and other organizations saying that declines in park visits have ranged from 20% to more than 50% and that overall annual revenue could drop by $20 million to $30 million.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tapers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tapers. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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