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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ratchets (down)
Verb
-
When blood vessels relax, the pressure inside them decreases.—
Carrie Madormo,
Health,
3 Mar. 2026 -
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness Obstructive sleep apnea decreases the total amount of quality sleep.—
Ashley Olivine,
Verywell Health,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Maybe the immediate need diminishes a bit after free agency.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Typically, that ebbs over the course of the season, as players play together more often.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The eye of that needle shrinks by the day.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
5 Mar. 2026
-
When the economy shifts or supply shrinks, demand shifts to used cars, which then experience their own spike in values.—
Byron Hurd,
The Drive,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Even after the snow tapers off, the weekend will remian breezy and cold across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, with wind gusts of 30 to over 60 mph possible.—
Mirna Alsharif,
NBC news,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Travel conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly once snow begins, and hazardous conditions could persist into Sunday morning before snow tapers off.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Both trade lanes experienced 19 percent volume declines.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
9 Mar. 2026
-
This comes at a fiscally dire time for Broward County Public Schools, which has lost significant revenue as school enrollment declines each year.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 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 10 Mar. 2026.
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