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
Meanwhile the tiered effect tapers the hair, adding extra volume at each level (like an upside-down coffee cup).
—
Elle Turner, Glamour, 4 May 2026
Kerry Washington’s romantic high ponytail makes a stronger statement when paired with full fringe that tapers out to tendrils.
—Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 11 Mar. 2026
However, the bill tapers down the amount that can be pulled from the Taxpayer Relief Fund to 75% of the spending gap in fiscal year 2027 and back to 50% in fiscal year 2028.
—Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register, 5 Mar. 2026
Broce said the agency tapers services such as behavior aides for potentially self-sufficient teenagers with judicial involvement.
—CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
Renderings show a singular, slender tower, which subtly tapers towards its apex.
—Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 18 Feb. 2026
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
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
Elle Turner, Glamour, 4 May 2026
Kerry Washington’s romantic high ponytail makes a stronger statement when paired with full fringe that tapers out to tendrils.
—Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 11 Mar. 2026
However, the bill tapers down the amount that can be pulled from the Taxpayer Relief Fund to 75% of the spending gap in fiscal year 2027 and back to 50% in fiscal year 2028.
—Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register, 5 Mar. 2026
Broce said the agency tapers services such as behavior aides for potentially self-sufficient teenagers with judicial involvement.
—CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
Renderings show a singular, slender tower, which subtly tapers towards its apex.
—Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 18 Feb. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tapers
Verb
-
This risk decreases as the storm moves away.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
9 June 2026
-
This risk decreases as the storm moves away.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Then the climax subsides for a lovely coda of strings, accompanied by a denouement in which the now casually clad, contemporary-looking singer smashes up her play set in the apartment where she’s presumably been brooding over all this stuff.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
22 May 2026
-
In fact, transparency mode eventually turns itself off until the wind subsides.—
Mark Knapp,
PC Magazine,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
29 May 2026
-
Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Friday’s selloff eases those worries a bit.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
7 June 2026
-
There is no explanation that eases the pain, no statement that can fully capture the grief so many in our community are experiencing.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Without new buyouts to bring fresh software loans into the market, the existing pile shrinks as borrowers repay.—
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
-
The Delta already draws boaters, anglers and people looking for a place where cell service fades and the to-do list shrinks.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
No two film or TV shoots are alike, as each director and team of department heads have to find their own unique rhythm that falls somewhere on a spectrum between meticulous storyboarding and completely improvising on set.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
6 June 2026
-
For elderly patients, prolonged stays in hallways increase the risks of delirium, falls, sleep deprivation, loss of dignity, and prolonged recovery.—
Letters to the Editor,
Hartford Courant,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Once sterile males are prevalent enough, the fly's population declines and then dies out.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
-
If price declines outpace output gains, total revenues in affected industries must fall, reducing the income available to workers and other producers despite higher levels of production.—
James Broughel,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tapers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tapers. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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