petered out crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Crosswordanswer.co.uk! If you're looking for solutions to the clue "petered out crossword clue," you've come to the right place. Below, you'll find a comprehensive list of possible answers, organized by their letter count, along with helpful explanations to boost your crossword-solving skills.
Solutions for "petered out crossword clue" by Letter Count
4 Letters
DIED: Refers to something stopping or ceasing to function completely, often gradually as if a process 'died out'.
5 Letters
WANED: Means to decrease in strength, intensity, or extent, which perfectly describes something 'petering out'.
ENDED: Indicates that something came to a conclusion or finished, often implying a gradual winding down rather than an abrupt stop.
FADED: Gradually grew faint and disappeared, often referring to colors or sounds, but can also mean to slowly lose strength or vigor.
6 Letters
CEASED: Means to stop existing or happening, aligning with the idea of something slowly coming to a halt.
7 Letters
TAPERED: To diminish or reduce in thickness toward one end, often used metaphorically for a gradual reduction of something, as in "tapered off."
STOPPED: Implies that an action or process was brought to a halt, which can be the result of 'petering out'.
8 Letters
DWINDLED: To diminish gradually in size, amount, or strength, which is a very close synonym for 'petered out'.
More About "petered out crossword clue"
The phrase "petered out" is a common idiomatic expression that signifies a gradual decline, depletion, or cessation of something. It's often used when talking about resources, energy, enthusiasm, or even a crowd dispersing. Unlike an abrupt stop, "petering out" implies a slow, almost unnoticeable winding down until nothing is left.
In the world of crosswords, understanding the subtle nuances of such phrases is key. Clues like "petered out" require you to think about synonyms that convey a sense of gradual ending or diminishing. This is where your vocabulary and understanding of word relationships become crucial. Consider the context implied by the clue – is it about a supply running out, a sound fading, or an activity coming to a close?
When you encounter "petered out" in a puzzle, don't just think "stopped." Think about the process of stopping. Did it slowly reduce? Did it become weaker? Did it become less frequent? These are the kinds of questions that will lead you to the exact answer the setter had in mind, matching the specific letter count you need.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Analyze the Nuance: For clues like "petered out," consider the implied gradualness. Are there answers that fit this slow decline better than a sharp halt? Words like "waned" or "dwindled" often fit this specific meaning more precisely than "stopped."
- Check Letter Count First: Always count the spaces in the grid before brainstorming. Knowing the exact letter count immediately narrows down the possibilities for "petered out" and helps you focus on relevant synonyms like DIED (4), WANED (5), CEASED (6), or DWINDLED (8).
- Consider Phrasal Verbs: "Petered out" itself is a phrasal verb. Sometimes, the answer might be another phrasal verb's core verb, or a single word that captures the essence of the entire phrase. Think broadly about how the action is described.
- Use Intersecting Letters: Don't try to solve the clue in isolation. Once you have a few intersecting letters from other clues, plug them into the potential answers for "petered out." This is often the quickest way to confirm the correct solution.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "petered out" mean in a general sense?
The phrase "petered out" means to gradually diminish, decrease, or come to an end. It suggests a slow, often unnoticeable, cessation of something, like a supply, a process, or an activity. It implies a winding down rather than an abrupt stop.
How do crossword setters use clues like "petered out"?
Crossword setters often use 'petered out' to clue synonyms for gradual cessation or decline. This can include words related to diminishing, ending, stopping, or fading. They might look for words that capture the nuance of a slow decrease in intensity or quantity.
Are there common synonyms for "petered out" used in crosswords?
Yes, common synonyms that frequently appear as answers for 'petered out' in crosswords include WANED, DIED, CEASED, ENDED, STOPPED, DWINDLED, and FADED. The specific answer will depend on the number of letters required and other intersecting clues in the puzzle.