as in decreases
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
at this time of the year, light begins to taper off a little earlier each day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tapers off
Even after the snow tapers off, the weekend will remian breezy and cold across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, with wind gusts of 30 to over 60 mph possible.
—
Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 31 Jan. 2026
Travel conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly once snow begins, and hazardous conditions could persist into Sunday morning before snow tapers off.
—Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
By the time the snow tapers off Monday morning, New Yorkers could be left with anywhere between 8 and 14 inches of the white stuff.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2026
As the snow tapers off, arctic air will pour in behind it.
—Joseph Dames, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
The threat gradually tapers off later Friday as the system moves east and winds slowly diminish.
—Brandi D. Addison, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 13 Jan. 2026
New accumulation should be no more than an inch, though, then a high near 31 as the precipitation tapers off Sunday morning.
—Jr Radcliffe, jsonline.com, 8 Jan. 2026
But the rain chance tapers off on Sunday, with a 40% chance.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
But as children become adults, their involvement in athletics typically tapers off — opting to watch sports games from the couch rather than participating in them.
—Hadley Hitson, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 31 Jan. 2026
Travel conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly once snow begins, and hazardous conditions could persist into Sunday morning before snow tapers off.
—Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
By the time the snow tapers off Monday morning, New Yorkers could be left with anywhere between 8 and 14 inches of the white stuff.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2026
As the snow tapers off, arctic air will pour in behind it.
—Joseph Dames, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
The threat gradually tapers off later Friday as the system moves east and winds slowly diminish.
—Brandi D. Addison, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 13 Jan. 2026
New accumulation should be no more than an inch, though, then a high near 31 as the precipitation tapers off Sunday morning.
—Jr Radcliffe, jsonline.com, 8 Jan. 2026
But the rain chance tapers off on Sunday, with a 40% chance.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
But as children become adults, their involvement in athletics typically tapers off — opting to watch sports games from the couch rather than participating in them.
—Hadley Hitson, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tapers off
Verb
-
As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Mar. 2026
-
This risk decreases as the storm moves away.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Maybe the immediate need diminishes a bit after free agency.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
While a panic attack subsides eventually, the anxiety-like feeling that precedes a heart attack won’t go away and may even increase in intensity over time.—
Nadine Avola,
Flow Space,
19 Feb. 2026
-
As investor panic subsides, these software names should get interest from traders, according to Pettit.—
Davis Giangiulio,
CNBC,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Iranians also continue to argue over who should lead if the current government falls.—
Alicia Victoria Lozano,
NBC news,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The peak falls near a first-quarter moon this year, which bodes well for another bright, impressive shower this year, per the Old Farmer’s Almanac.—
Joseph Erbentraut,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Both trade lanes experienced 19 percent volume declines.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
9 Mar. 2026
-
This comes at a fiscally dire time for Broward County Public Schools, which has lost significant revenue as school enrollment declines each year.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tapers off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tapers%20off. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
