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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Recent Examples of Synonyms for ratchet (down)

Verb

The inventory showed that in 2023, which is the most recent year for which data is available, emissions decreased from transportation and buildings, the state’s two largest emissions sectors.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 13 Nov. 2026
Beck’s involvement or contribution to ownership are not expected to decrease in any way.

— Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 13 Nov. 2026

Definition of decrease

Verb

Except in the extreme, legislators are loath to devalue local autonomy while also prioritizing delivery of state aid to diminish local tax burdens.

— David Bloomfield, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2026
While rain chances will diminish, clouds will hang tough through much of the day, and northeast winds will pick up slightly to 5 to 10 mph.

— Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 31 Oct. 2026

Definition of diminish

Verb

Those surpluses initially built a miniscule reserve into a record-setting one, but they mainly have been used to shrink Connecticut’s hefty pension debt, a $30 billion-plus problem that still drains resources from other programs.

— Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 10 Nov. 2026
At the same time, the supply of million-dollar homes in many of the state’s markets is shrinking, and the luxury homes that do hit the market are selling faster.

— Sydney Lake, Fortune, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of shrink

Verb

Hip-hop discourse, in recent years, has fixated on declining metrics as some arbiter of cultural failure.

— Andre Gee, Pitchfork, 13 Nov. 2026
The state forecasts that emissions in the transportation sector will continue to decline as electric and more energy efficient cars replace older ones.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 13 Nov. 2026

Definition of decline

Verb

Rain should taper off as the front passes, with drier weather following later in the day.

— Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 2 Nov. 2026
After a weekend marked by consistent downpours, South Florida will see more rain in the beginning of the week before tapering off into drier conditions at the end of the week.

— Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of taper off

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Browse Nearby Words

ratbags

ratchet (down)

ratcheted (down)

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“Ratchet (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ratchet%20%28down%29. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of ratchet (down)

verb

Example Sentences

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