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
-
As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
-
Forecast confidence decreases somewhat heading into the weekend, but an unsettled pattern appears likely to continue.—
Lauren Bostwick,
CBS News,
15 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.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
12 June 2026
-
Their sense of contribution diminishes.—
ByBryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Steady structure builds trust and eases big feelings today.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
17 June 2026
-
The day eases toward dusk in warm, unhurried tones.—
David Dickstein,
Oc Register,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
As measurement gets stricter and the watchers get better at catching what slips, the pool of gas that can clear the bar shrinks — and intensity figures shaped by satellite data help decide who is in the pool and who is left holding cargoes nobody in Brussels will touch.—
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
-
Once a swarm launches and organizes, effective mission time shrinks even further.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
If the measure falls short, any registered voter could request and pay for a recount after the results are certified.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2026
-
The military procession continues to serve as the official birthday for the reigning sovereign, regardless of when their actual birthday falls.—
Stephanie Petit,
PEOPLE,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
That’s down to the 3D model producing a little less warming for a brighter Sun, the expectation that CO2 declines more slowly over time, and a slight expansion of the CO2 range believed to be survivable by plants.—
Scott K. Johnson,
ArsTechnica,
15 June 2026
-
Scientists found that a protein called NOX4 naturally declines with age and inactivity.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tapers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tapers. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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