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
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Recent Examples of tapers off
The sharp tanginess of the vinegar tapers off when cooked, lending subtle brightness to dishes.
—
Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 12 Mar. 2026
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
Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 12 Mar. 2026
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
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
-
Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Some said Adebayo’s night diminishes sports history.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
11 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
-
The rules of the game state that, if a head of a household falls, the next person in succession must take their place and fight, or their entire family line will get blown up by Satan.—
Jada Yuan,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2026
-
By the time the curtain falls, dozens of audience members have become part of the show.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
13 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 15 Mar. 2026.
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