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.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
11 May 2026
-
As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In fact, transparency mode eventually turns itself off until the wind subsides.—
Mark Knapp,
PC Magazine,
8 May 2026
-
To better determine the value of locking in a mortgage rate now – or waiting until this current volatility subsides – borrowers need to start with an understanding of where mortgage rates stand right now, as of May 8, 2026.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
If the College Football Playoff expands, the urgency of the regular season diminishes by comparison, and in a sport that had, inarguably, the greatest regular season in sports, that's a huge blow.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
-
Art thrives on openness, and any narrowing of that space diminishes it.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
During non-REM sleep, the accelerator surges and the brake eases off.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
6 May 2026
-
Once the performers appear, slinking in from the sides of the stage, the show firmly takes shape and eases smoothly from one episode from the Gospels to the next.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
That risk shrinks when having what feels an awful lot like a conversation with a chatbot.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
9 May 2026
-
As sea ice shrinks and expands, the surface ocean warms or cools.—
Hannah Richter,
Scientific American,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
On both sides of the street, the sidewalk rises and falls, uprooted and cracked by shallow roots because over many decades, the trees were not properly maintained.—
Steve Lopez,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
-
The youngest Issa falls somewhere in between her sisters’ styles.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
When a security system declines a valid purchase, the customer often abandons the cart and moves to a competitor.—
Ethan Stone,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
-
Distribution revenue was $858 million as vs $870 million on net subscriber declines.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tapers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tapers. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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