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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The top three contributors to hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Aug. 2025 -
But in the past two years, crime rates have in fact drastically decreased.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The transit systems that give independence to hundreds of thousands of people living with disabilities will be severely diminished.—
Karen Tamley,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Aug. 2025
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Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Over time, the country’s economy will shrink by 0.4 percent (or the equivalent of $120 billion annually in 2024).—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
4 Aug. 2025
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However, his pass-blocking grade was just 62.6, but that gap could shrink in 2025.—
Quentin Corpuel,
Kansas City Star,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
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One year’s worth of data isn’t sufficient to tell us about a radical realignment, and the Republican youth wave certainly seems to have ebbed since last fall, but Pew provides us with yet another blinking light on the dashboard for Democrats.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
29 July 2025
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Meanwhile, worries about other issues have ebbed in the past year.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Trump has refrained from endorsing a successor and declined to endorse Vice President JD Vance for the role in February.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
5 Aug. 2025
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Any guest who declines to be searched may be denied entry.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The analyst said this credit will remain in place through 2032 and taper off by 2034, providing about $250 million a year in cash generation from 2030 to 2035.—
Pia Singh,
CNBC,
14 Aug. 2025
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Each practice has featured myriad personnel groupings, with the offensive and defensive scheme installs tapering off as game preparation takes shape.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Aug. 2025
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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 19 Aug. 2025.
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