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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ratchet (down)
Verb
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Though the number of uninsured motorist was decreasing during the 2010s, the COVID-19 pandemic reversed the trend, with some Americans, who were driving less often, dropping their insurance, USA TODAY reported.—
Caroline Neal,
Louisville Courier Journal,
17 Oct. 2025 -
In addition, the rebound numbers could decrease for Towns.—
Stan Son,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Although there may be some lingering tension between Turning Point and the Wisconsin GOP, resistance to the group is diminishing, party officials said.—
Steven Martinez,
jsonline.com,
21 Oct. 2025
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Coleman also pushed back against the notion that enthusiasm for AI diminishes the value of human work.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Much of Moreas’s difficulty stems from a shrinking pool of skilled labor in the health care workforce.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
20 Oct. 2025
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For her next trick, Halsey has shrunk the venues, with a persona that seems at least as large in a looser mode.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Since the early years of this century, business dynamism has ebbed and productivity has sagged, turning negative after the global financial crisis of 2007–9 and slowing markedly through the 2010s.—
CARL BENEDIKT FREY,
Foreign Affairs,
1 Oct. 2025
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Beverage makers are grappling with consumers’ desires for healthier fare, and sales of beer and soda have ebbed.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Contract options exercised for 4 The club exercised contract options on Stephen Afrifa, Zorhan Bassong, Jansen Miller and John Pulskamp, while declining options for Tim Leibold, Nemanja Radoja, Ryan Schewe, Shelton and Mason Toye.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
23 Oct. 2025
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However, her cousin the followed up, and the OP wrote back declining the invite.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Moreover, heavy snow will develop over the Sierra Nevada Mountains on Tuesday, tapering off by Wednesday.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
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Williams added that the underlying drivers of the silver market show no sign of tapering off, suggesting the bull run on silver could be sustained well into 2026.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
13 Oct. 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 24 Oct. 2025.
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