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
Acuna’s show business resume tapers off in the mid-2010’s, according to IMDB.
—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2026
After the strongest storms move out, colder air will settle in with the possibility of a few wet snowflakes before the precipitation tapers off.
—
Gregory Padgett,
CBS News,
14 Mar. 2026
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
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
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2026
After the strongest storms move out, colder air will settle in with the possibility of a few wet snowflakes before the precipitation tapers off.
—
Gregory Padgett,
CBS News,
14 Mar. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tapers off
Verb
-
Previous research has demonstrated that direct exposure to nature significantly reduces physiological stress, lowers heart rates and decreases levels of stress hormones, like cortisol.
-
This risk decreases as the storm moves away.
Verb
-
In most lakes oxygen content diminishes rapidly at depths below 35 feet.
-
None of this diminishes the responsibility of wealthy countries.
Verb
-
After the laughter ringing through the room subsides, though, Abela does allow for a moment of reverence — for the HBO drama if not for the disreputable people who populate it.
-
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.
Verb
-
Men leaders can pay attention to and be mindful of who in the workplace may be playing more of an emotional support role that falls outside their job description.
-
Royal Week falls ahead of Prince Harry's upcoming trip to the United Kingdom.
Verb
-
Economists have warned that the revenue bump is potentially temporary and analysts say the growth in state spending could leave California in a challenging position if the economy declines.
-
For Markiplier, the last few months have been a study in what happens when a creator with 36 million subscribers walks through Hollywood’s front door and declines to become its creature.
Cite this Entry
“Tapers off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tapers%20off. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
