variants
also racheted (down)
as in decreased
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ratcheted (down)
Verb
-
The sentence was decreased to 30 years weeks later.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2026 -
Brunson, meanwhile, has also received attention for his propensity to draw fouls, but his reliance in that area has decreased.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
5 June 2026
Verb
-
But by the 1960s, it was much diminished, and a later owner, Benjamin Swig, had sold close to 1,000 antiques and artworks to help pay bills.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
-
Life satisfaction went up, and loneliness diminished.—
Veronique Greenwood,
Time,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Sales of the flag have ebbed through changes in domestic politics.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
6 June 2026
-
Those fears ebbed away in the last few weeks after one major campaign implosion and a flood of money surged into the race to sway voters via both traditional ads and new media platforms.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
As the Spurs lead shrunk, the roar of the crowd inside MSG raged.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
11 June 2026
-
Caffeine boosted cycling power output at first, but the advantage steadily shrank, and by the second and third weeks the same dose produced a smaller performance benefit.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Piccotto effectively plays the regret of a mother forced to reckon with the loss of a child, the horror of engaging with that child again, while also grappling with her own role as a mother felled by the scourge of addiction.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
-
In a Western Conference Final where a few other key Colorado Avalanche players are already playing through injuries, the NHL’s leading goal scorer this season was felled trying to prevent someone else from scoring.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
25 May 2026
Verb
-
Those who declined frequently faced intense criticism from media outlets and activists.—
Jon Root OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
-
Major events such as Hamilton and an Issa Rae show were swiftly canceled, staff departures staggered departments and drained the organization of expertise, and ticket sales drastically declined.—
Janay Kingsberry,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
For the most part, interest in their love story has tapered off over time, except for the occasional call from a reporter around Valentine’s Day.—
Johnny Dodd,
PEOPLE,
4 June 2026
-
As the rain tapered off in the afternoon, the Skippers (20-2) were eager to defend their home turf.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Ratcheted (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ratcheted%20%28down%29. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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