RATCHET (DOWN) Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

ratchet (down)

verb

variants also rachet (down)

Definition of ratchet (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

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for ratchet (down)

Verb

And the number of young people who stayed on medication for six months — already quite low — may have actually decreased.

— Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 2 Oct. 2026
For the full 2027 fiscal year, Nike said to expect revenue to decrease by a high-single-digit percentage.

— Alex Harring, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of decrease

Verb

When every decision requires multiple levels of authorization, ownership naturally diminishes.

— Guy Yehiav, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
And where does the water come from for these 10 new cities as the West scrambles for what’s left of diminishing supplies?

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of diminish

Verb

The high price of beef in North Carolina is part of a larger national problem that begins with the shrinking supply of cattle, but that’s not the only factor driving prices.

— Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2026
The feedback didn’t shrink that gap any more than the sleep-hygiene sessions did.

— J. David Creswell, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of shrink

Verb

The parties involved in the litigation—as well as Red Lobster itself, which is not being sued—declined to comment for this article, but their court filings lay out the sad saga in dramatic detail.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
But campus police made no arrests, and the district attorney, Matthew Van Houten, initially declined to pursue charges against the seven fraternity brothers.

— Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of decline

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Browse Nearby Words

ratbags

ratchet (down)

ratcheted (down)

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“Ratchet (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ratchet%20%28down%29. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of ratchet (down)

verb

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