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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ratchet (down)
Verb
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In her recommendation to reduce costs, Maeda suggested decreasing bimonthly water meter service charges for single-family utility customers by 25% and increasing the commodity per unit charge by 12% while maintaining the yearly rate of increase.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026 -
If economic growth slows or airline capacity additions decrease, service demand could soften from elevated levels.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Sources at the club who spoke to The Athletic on condition of anonymity to protect relationships say there is no diminishing faith in Hurzeler at boardroom level.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
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And some poor choices have not diminished the status of the Norwegian Nobel Committee as the international arbiter of moral courage.—
Sean Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Clearer disclosures, easier balance transfers, stronger competition among lenders, and pathways to refinancing all reduce costs without shrinking access.—
J.D. Hayworth,
Boston Herald,
24 Jan. 2026
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But for others, especially younger people, the upshot is fewer entry-level tasks and a shrinking pool for jobs.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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They wed in September 2021, in the ebbing months of the pandemic.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Jan. 2026
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Attendance naturally ebbed again as the Chiefs had one winning season between 2006 and 2012, leading to the hiring of Reid and a new vibrancy about ever since.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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So far, almost all Republicans have declined to put checks on Trump through the war powers votes.—
STEPHEN GROVES THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
23 Jan. 2026
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Nvidia declined to comment on executive travel plans.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The storm will taper off Sunday night as the storm responsible for the winter storm slowly eases northeast away from our area.—
Cutter Martin,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
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But when Saturday afternoon comes, the temperature will begin to taper off over time until Sunday morning.—
Josh Kelly,
Oklahoman,
21 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Ratchet (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ratchet%20%28down%29. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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