RACHETS (DOWN) Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

ratchets (down)

verb

variants also rachets (down)

present tense third-person singular of ratchet (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

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for ratchets (down)

Verb

Fertility in women decreases gradually but significantly at age 32 and rapidly after 37, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

— Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
While passengers often remain seated for hours at a time, crew spend the majority of the flight on their feet, which decreases their chances of stiffness.

— Sophia Dyer, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of decreases

Verb

The district’s cash on hand naturally ebbs and flows depending on when revenue arrives, but repeated Cook County property tax delays last year have deepened the problem.

— Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2026
Participation ebbs and flows with the economy, dropping to 35 million in 2019.

— Bart Jansen, USA Today, 19 June 2026

Definition of ebbs

Verb

Elevated levels of insulin can increase DHT (dihydrotestosterone), a hormone that shrinks hair follicles, which can lead to hair thinning and, over time, permanent loss.

— Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 25 Aug. 2026
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold had a 5,015mAh battery, but the Pixel 11 Pro Fold shrinks that to 4,806mAh.

— Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of shrinks

Verb

Activity scheduling generally follows daily circadian rhythms, so more intensive experiences are clustered in the mornings, with a smattering in the afternoon that tapers off in time for slow sunset yoga or meditation.

— Jessica Ritz, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2026
If gravel tapers off at the edges of your garden, weeds will easily find their way into the soil below and germinate.

— Teresa Woodard, Midwest Living, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of tapers off

Verb

The fee applies during the first 13 years of the agreement and gradually declines over the remaining initial term.

— Sydney Sasser, Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2026
Recent findings show that early-career workers – ages 22 to 25 – in occupations most vulnerable to AI automation, such as software development and customer service, have experienced employment declines.

— Maria Black, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of declines

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ratcheting (up)

ratchets (down)

ratchets (up)

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“Ratchets (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ratchets%20%28down%29. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of ratchets (down)

verb

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