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
-
This risk decreases as the storm moves away.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 Jan. 2026 -
Prescribed medication is used to manage discomfort, which usually decreases noticeably after the first week.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 Nov. 2025
-
When two parties are aware of a major issue that diminishes an asset and do not inform the third party of that asset, that’s strong grounds for a lawsuit.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
This is tied to a low‑hire, low‑fire labor market, the rapid automation of entry‑level roles, and a tech industry whose workforce is getting older as Gen Z’s presence shrinks.—
Ashley Lutz,
Fortune,
3 Jan. 2026
-
Antarctic Ozone hole shrinks The ozone hole over Antarctica has shrunk to its fifth-smallest size in more than three decades, according to NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
26 Dec. 2025
Verb
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But the rain chance tapers off on Sunday, with a 40% chance.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
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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
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Independent energy analyst Rachel Ziemba, who agrees major oil companies may hesitate, also notes that declines in the price of crude – the raw material for consumer products like gasoline – are often not fully passed on to consumers.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
5 Jan. 2026
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As Gustav aims to work his way back into their lives, Nora retreats into isolation as her mental health increasingly declines.—
Yamillah Hurtado,
PEOPLE,
5 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Ratchets (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ratchets%20%28down%29. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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