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
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Previous research has demonstrated that direct exposure to nature significantly reduces physiological stress, lowers heart rates and decreases levels of stress hormones, like cortisol.
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This risk decreases as the storm moves away.
Verb
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After the laughter ringing through the room subsides, though, Abela does allow for a moment of reverence — for the HBO drama if not for the disreputable people who populate it.
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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.
Verb
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In most lakes oxygen content diminishes rapidly at depths below 35 feet.
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None of this diminishes the responsibility of wealthy countries.
Verb
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Landing Torbert eases the sting of missing out on five-star cornerback Joshua Dobson, who committed to South Carolina on Wednesday.
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Oil continues to fall, which eases the inflationary pressures, too.
Verb
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What Research Shows About Cancer in Dogs While there is no evidence that turkey tail shrinks tumors, the mushroom has drawn real scientific interest as a complementary therapy for serious illness.
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Gas cars’ cost advantage shrinks as fuel prices rise.
Verb
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Men leaders can pay attention to and be mindful of who in the workplace may be playing more of an emotional support role that falls outside their job description.
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Royal Week falls ahead of Prince Harry's upcoming trip to the United Kingdom.
Verb
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Economists have warned that the revenue bump is potentially temporary and analysts say the growth in state spending could leave California in a challenging position if the economy declines.
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For Markiplier, the last few months have been a study in what happens when a creator with 36 million subscribers walks through Hollywood’s front door and declines to become its creature.
Cite this Entry
“Tapers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tapers. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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