as in to decrease
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 taper off
The recommendation is to use twice a week for six weeks and then taper off for maintenance, which looks like every two or three weeks after three months, two to four weeks after four months, and only needed as touch-ups after nine months.
—
Lisa Desantis, Glamour, 9 Apr. 2026
Light-bloom torture-test shots of colorful objects against completely black backgrounds also produced significant haze that tapered off gradually across the screen.
—Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 6 Apr. 2026
While the series’ linear ratings have tapered off, something pretty common for serialized broadcast dramas, Memory of a Killer has become a staple on Hulu, which releases new episodes next day, regularly raking in the streamer’s Daily Top 10.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 6 Apr. 2026
That improvement tapered off, however, over the course of the last two weeks.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for taper off
Lisa Desantis, Glamour, 9 Apr. 2026
Light-bloom torture-test shots of colorful objects against completely black backgrounds also produced significant haze that tapered off gradually across the screen.
—Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 6 Apr. 2026
While the series’ linear ratings have tapered off, something pretty common for serialized broadcast dramas, Memory of a Killer has become a staple on Hulu, which releases new episodes next day, regularly raking in the streamer’s Daily Top 10.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 6 Apr. 2026
That improvement tapered off, however, over the course of the last two weeks.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for taper off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taper off
Verb
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Last year, the number of officers killed decreased, both in terms of officers killed as a result of felonious acts and those killed accidentally.—
Kenneth D. Robinson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 May 2026
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Anyone can get Vibrio, but those with liver disease, cancer, diabetes, HIV, thalassemia, receiving immune-suppressing therapy, taking medicine to decrease stomach acid or having recently had stomach surgery are at high risk of severe complications.—
Eva Flowe
May 1,
Charlotte Observer,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Even the most ambitious stories often felt exhausted by the third installment, with diminishing creative and financial returns.—
Hua Hsu,
New Yorker,
29 Apr. 2026
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Israel has repeatedly criticized the Lebanese government for not doing enough to diminish Hezbollah’s capabilities.—
Mustafa Qadri,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The still-plentiful coal trains south from Denver will subside as the coal plants at Pueblo, Fountain and other places retire in coming years.—
Allen Best,
Denver Post,
24 Apr. 2026
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And while the conflict in the Middle East temporarily warded off deflation, the gains have since subsided as Chinese industry continues to run below capacity, the chief economist for Asia Pacific at French bank Natixis argued.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Bovino, who led much of the immigration enforcement operation in Chicago and the suburbs, as well as in Minnesota before retiring this year amid criticism, declined to appear before the commission.—
Olivia Olander,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
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The Salt Lake County district attorney’s office and the Draper City prosecutor both declined to file charges against Paul in April, citing insufficient evidence to prove allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.—
Senior Television,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Blue Origin The first stage appeared to work flawlessly, shutting down and falling away as planned about three minutes and nine seconds after liftoff.—
William Harwood,
CBS News,
19 Apr. 2026
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Three minutes into the flight, the booster switched off its engines and fell away from New Glenn’s upper stage, powered by two BE-3U engines burning liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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His portfolio fell 44% in the dot-com crash, and sustained a 40% loss in 2008.—
Terry Savage,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
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Lee then came up to the plate and fell behind in the count 1-2.—
Tony Gleason,
Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Those consumers have been increasingly seeking out solutions to ease the physical process, according to Circana.—
Laya Neelakandan,
CNBC,
2 May 2026
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Plane tickets are getting pricier After jumping to $209 a barrel in early April, the global price of jet fuel eased last week to around $179, still well above the roughly $99 at the end of February.—
Mae Anderson,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Taper off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taper%20off. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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