variants
also rachets (down)
as in decreases
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 ratchets (down)
Verb
-
As the Universe expands, the wavelength of each photon gets lengthened by the expansion, meaning that the amount of energy present in the form of radiation decreases faster than the amount of energy present in the form of matter in the expanding Universe.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
23 Sep. 2025 -
As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
25 Sep. 2025
-
The incentive diminishes after a certain stage of growth and the curve takes on an S shape.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Without Noah Dobson the team’s ceiling shrinks, leaving the Islanders with an 84-point forecast.—
The Athletic NHL,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
-
The same principle holds true when the applicant pool shrinks.—
Christopher Rim,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But the rain chance tapers off on Sunday, with a 40% chance.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
-
But as children become adults, their involvement in athletics typically tapers off — opting to watch sports games from the couch rather than participating in them.—
Hadley Hitson,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The weekly decline came after two straight weeks of double-digit demand declines, in which the volumes slumped by 12 percent and 11 percent, respectively.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Dwight also declines that, angering Ray.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
21 Sep. 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
“Ratchets (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ratchets%20%28down%29. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share