RACHET Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

ratchet (down)

verb

variants also rachet (down)

Definition of ratchet (down)

as in to decrease

to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually news stories about the kidnapping will ratchet down as the weeks go by

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ratchet (down)

Verb

And the number of young people who stayed on medication for six months — already quite low — may have actually decreased.

— Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 2 Oct. 2026
For the full 2027 fiscal year, Nike said to expect revenue to decrease by a high-single-digit percentage.

— Alex Harring, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of decrease

Verb

Yes, that’s twice as many treatment options as the previous Series 2 mask—which means this pick is clinically proven to diminish the appearance of crepiness by stimulating collagen and elastin, as well as pigmentation concerns.

— Jenny Berg, Vogue, 28 Sep. 2026
Likewise, the failure to hire an effective leader for the Blockchain Association has diminished the industry’s influence in the Capitol.

— Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of diminish

Verb

Reducing what's available through those companies may shrink one part of your broader data footprint.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026
The transition from tadpole to juvenile frog is never easy — legs sprout, tails shrink and lungs develop for a life on land, all while being hunted by fish and other predators.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of shrink

Verb

The parties involved in the litigation—as well as Red Lobster itself, which is not being sued—declined to comment for this article, but their court filings lay out the sad saga in dramatic detail.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
But campus police made no arrests, and the district attorney, Matthew Van Houten, initially declined to pursue charges against the seven fraternity brothers.

— Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of decline

Verb

But the rain will gradually taper off, and the winds are much lighter than on Sunday.

— Kate Bilo, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026
Any precipitation should taper off later Monday, though clouds may linger into the evening, making for a gray day, the weather service said.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of taper off

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ratbags

ratchet (down)

ratcheted (down)

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Style

“Ratchet (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ratchet%20%28down%29. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of ratchet (down)

verb

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