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 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
Conditions are expected to improve once the sleet tapers off and crews can catch up overnight.
—Ross Dimattei, CBS News, 27 Dec. 2025
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
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
Conditions are expected to improve once the sleet tapers off and crews can catch up overnight.
—Ross Dimattei, CBS News, 27 Dec. 2025
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
-
This risk decreases as the storm moves away.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Prescribed medication is used to manage discomfort, which usually decreases noticeably after the first week.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But those long hours sitting at a desk, commuting by car or public transport, and spending leisure time in front of screens also diminishes opportunities for the legs to be challenged.—
Desireé Oostland,
Vogue,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Mariners traversing the bar are urged to exercise extreme caution or stay in port until the threat subsides.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The driver was safely rescued, but their vehicle will stay in the flooded roadway, between the road closures, until the water subsides.—
Jose Fabian,
CBS News,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Worse, the tariff burden is a regressive tax that falls hardest on lower-income households and small businesses with less bargaining power.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
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There’s nothing as cozy as snuggling up in front of the fire while snow falls peacefully outside.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
As Gustav aims to work his way back into their lives, Nora retreats into isolation as her mental health increasingly declines.—
Yamillah Hurtado,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Conversely, declines in the short-term interest rate partially mitigated the overall rise in payments.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tapers off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tapers%20off. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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