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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Walker said other states have removed the asset calculation and found the error rates have decreased, which means that more federal dollars go toward the SNAP program recipients.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026 -
Robocalls have decreased nationally and in the Chicago area over the past 12 months, in part due to newer federal regulations.—
Megan De Mar,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Extensive research shows that insufficient sleep is associated with impaired cognitive function, chronic health problems, diminished productivity and an increase in traffic accidents, just to name a few.—
Stephen Neely,
The Conversation,
3 Mar. 2026
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One concern is cognitive offloading, in which decision-makers defer too readily to algorithmic recommendations, effectively diminishing human accountability for strategic choices.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The only way to achieve economic growth in a country with a shrinking labor force is through an explosive boost to productivity.—
Tiana Lowe Doescher,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
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And even if Ellison surprises people and actually keeps CNN siloed off from Weiss’s project at CBS, the amount of debt his new company will carry very likely means CNN, already reeling from cuts under current WB Discovery boss David Zaslav’s rule, will see its budget and ambitions shrink.—
Josef Adalian,
Vulture,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But the tide began to ebb in recent days, and the Pima County 911 supervisor told CNN the number of credible tips had begun to slow.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
25 Feb. 2026
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West Ham’s defending once caused consternation among the fanbase, but those concerns have slowly ebbed away.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, Iranian retaliatory attacks appear to be declining — ballistic missile strikes have fallen by 90% and drone attacks by 83%, according to US Central Command — potentially easing pressure on Gulf states that have faced Iranian strikes in recent days.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
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Bonta’s office declined to comment.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Iran’s missile-and-drone volleys are tapering off somewhat as launchers are destroyed and inventories expended, but Shaheds are so simple that Iran will likely be able to keep manufacturing and firing them in small numbers nearly indefinitely.—
Brynn Tannehill,
The Atlantic,
4 Mar. 2026
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The rain will continue most of Tuesday night, tapering off around dawn on Wednesday.—
Terry Eliasen,
CBS News,
2 Mar. 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 7 Mar. 2026.
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