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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ratchet (down)
Verb
-
Motor vehicle thefts declined 21 percent this month and 27 percent year-to-date, while burglaries decreased 28 percent from July 2024.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Aug. 2025 -
The Congressional Budget Office projected that the administration’s tariff policy would decrease the total deficits by up to $4 trillion over the next decade.—
Sydney Topf,
The Washington Examiner,
23 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Keep clear of puddles - Driving through puddles or low rainwater areas can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
26 Aug. 2025
-
The reality is that professionalism, delivered consistently, will outlast attempts to diminish it.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Brenner argues that shrinking the model sacrifices detail, but his design strengthens every unit.—
Ron Schmelzer,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
-
As sales have dwindled and demand has shrunk in recent months, inventory has started piling across the country, especially in the South, giving buyers more power over sellers and slowly shifting the market in their favor.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
More similarly tall waves are expected, though they are gradually expected to ebb in the next hours.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
30 July 2025
-
The best choices left are Samuel and Bills free agent Rasul Douglas, who is capable but turns 30 in August, his best days ebbing.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
IndyStar reached out to multiple local experts, including the ACLU, to weigh in on the images, but experts declined to comment on this specific case.—
Jade Jackson,
IndyStar,
30 Aug. 2025
-
The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority declined to comment, citing pending litigation.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The spotlight tapered off ever so slightly in 2024.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
26 Aug. 2025
-
The solar cycle will eventually taper off, leading to weaker auroral activity within the next two years.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
18 July 2025
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.
Cite this Entry
“Ratchet (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ratchet%20%28down%29. Accessed 2 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share