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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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ratchet (down)

Verb

Once their ships turned away, the tension dramatically decreased, though hours later China Coast Guard ships could be seen in the distance still shadowing the Philippine vessels.

— Ivan Watson, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
Air pollution is severe in many cities and industrial regions and is estimated to have caused the average life expectancy of Indians to decrease by more than three years in 2022.

— Aman Kumar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026

Definition of decrease

Verb

The flood of content drew more young people into the demonstrations and underscored the diminishing influence of traditional media in India among Gen Z.

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
Workers seek transparency regarding AI's impact on their roles, assurance against job losses, and confidence that their value isn't diminished.

— Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Definition of diminish

Verb

Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson, who previously oversaw the prosecution against Hermes, declined to comment on the closed criminal case or Hermes’ campaign.

— Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026
However, declining vaccination rates fueled by vaccine hesitancy have created pockets of susceptible individuals where the virus can spread quickly.

— Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026

Definition of decline

Verb

The rain will be tapering off and skies will be clearing in the afternoon.

— Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 17 July 2026
The rain was expected to taper off, but another round of showers worsened already swollen rivers and flooded rural communities near the border with Mexico that had largely been spared major damage.

— Jesse Bedayn, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026

Definition of taper off

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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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 30 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of ratchet (down)

verb

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