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
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
-
When blood vessels relax, the pressure inside them decreases.—
Carrie Madormo,
Health,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness Obstructive sleep apnea decreases the total amount of quality sleep.—
Ashley Olivine,
Verywell Health,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Instead, the Bulls plan to keep him sidelined until his pain diminishes, at which point he would be cleared to play again.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
-
But many in Hollywood said to defend Davidson diminishes the pain the situation caused.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
23 Feb. 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
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As investor panic subsides, these software names should get interest from traders, according to Pettit.—
Davis Giangiulio,
CNBC,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The joyous gallows humor and horror-movie commentary of old are gone, and some inspired working-in of new technology falls apart.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
28 Feb. 2026
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The city cannot gamble with our care by pushing us onto a new plan that falls short for people it was supposed to protect.—
MaryAnn Berto,
New York Daily News,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Dolci declines to speculate on root causes, but is at pains to note that Imax has proven more resilient than the broader market, holding largely flat while the industry overall has taken a dip.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
27 Feb. 2026
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The chain, known for its soups, salads and sandwiches, is in the early stages of a turnaround, with a focus on reinvesting in its business and reversing years of traffic declines.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tapers off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tapers%20off. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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