variants
also rachet (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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ratchet (down)
Verb
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When nighttime temperatures consistently stay below 70°F in the South, the grass growth rate significantly decreases.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
31 Oct. 2025 -
Symptoms include pain, swelling, stiffness, and decreased joint mobility.—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In the end, the power of the Cheney name was greatly diminished in GOP politics.—
Don Gonyea,
NPR,
4 Nov. 2025
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The business community is bracing to wake up Wednesday reminded of their diminishing power in their own backyard.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Sun shrinking and getting hotter; everything bilious, oxygenless, not great for living.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
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While trucking numbers continue to pour in, domestic manufacturing keeps sliding downward amid the policy shifts, with American factory activity shrinking for the eighth straight month in October.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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But positivity since then has ebbed, due to Nuno’s fixation on experimenting with his starting XI.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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Rising drug and hospital costs are often cited as major culprits for rising health insurance costs, and neither shows signs of ebbing.—
Phil Galewitz,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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No Buffett, no premium Since Warren Buffett announced his retirement from Berkshire Hathaway its stock has declined 11% in a period when the S&P 500 rose 20%.—
Geoff Colvin,
Fortune,
31 Oct. 2025
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Baldwin’s lawyers declined to comment on Kenney’s suit.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Lastly, Vanderbilt transfer JaQualon Roberts has an opportunity to make an immediate impact after his play-time with the Commodores tapered off in his sophomore season.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Oct. 2025
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For eastern Cuba, heavy rains will continue this morning, tapering off this afternoon.—
MIAMI HERALD HURRICANE BOT,
Miami Herald,
29 Oct. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Ratchet (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ratchet%20%28down%29. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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