variants
or less commonly rachet
1
: a mechanism that consists of a bar or wheel having inclined teeth into which a pawl drops so that motion can be imparted to the wheel or bar, governed, or prevented and that is used in a hand tool (such as a wrench or screwdriver) to allow effective motion in one direction only
2
: a pawl or detent for holding or propelling a toothed wheel
variants
or less commonly rachet
ratcheted also racheted; ratcheting also racheting; ratchets also rachets
: to cause to move by steps or degrees
—usually used with up or down
tried to ratchet down the debt
: to proceed by steps or degrees
Did you know?
Slang Meaning of Ratchet
Ratchet also means “trashy and disorderly, sometimes in a good way.” Learn more>
Examples of ratchet in a Sentence
Verb
news stories about the kidnapping will ratchet down as the weeks go by
Recent Examples on the Web
Sudhin Thanawala, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
On the International Space Station, astronauts use 3D printers to make tools and spare parts, such as ratchet wrenches, clamps and brackets.
—Sven Bilén, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2025
Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 25 June 2025
June 20, two days after the Fed meeting, Trump ratcheted up his barbed assault on the Fed chief, whom Trump elevated to that role in 2018.
—Paul Davidson, USA Today, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ratchet
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
The unusual suit filed Tuesday in Baltimore against the chief judge of the U.S. District Court in Maryland and the court’s other judges underscores the administration’s focus on immigration enforcement and ratchets up its fight with the judiciary.
—Sudhin Thanawala, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
On the International Space Station, astronauts use 3D printers to make tools and spare parts, such as ratchet wrenches, clamps and brackets.
—Sven Bilén, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
In recent days, the U.S. has ratcheted up air defenses in the region, sending additional attack aircraft, The New York Times is reporting.
—Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 25 June 2025
June 20, two days after the Fed meeting, Trump ratcheted up his barbed assault on the Fed chief, whom Trump elevated to that role in 2018.
—Paul Davidson, USA Today, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ratchet
Cite this Entry
“Ratchet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ratchet. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share