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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This can reduce dependence on critical raw materials, lower costs, decrease carbon emissions, and ultimately make sustainable technologies more reliable and accessible in everyday life, as per the release.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Nov. 2025 -
The trend, Morales said, should come as a giant, blinking warning sign for Republicans, who ran in 2024 on promises to decrease inflation and improve the cost of living for everyday Americans.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In the end, the power of the Cheney name was greatly diminished in GOP politics.—
Don Gonyea,
NPR,
4 Nov. 2025
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The business community is bracing to wake up Wednesday reminded of their diminishing power in their own backyard.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Sun shrinking and getting hotter; everything bilious, oxygenless, not great for living.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
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While trucking numbers continue to pour in, domestic manufacturing keeps sliding downward amid the policy shifts, with American factory activity shrinking for the eighth straight month in October.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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But positivity since then has ebbed, due to Nuno’s fixation on experimenting with his starting XI.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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Rising drug and hospital costs are often cited as major culprits for rising health insurance costs, and neither shows signs of ebbing.—
Phil Galewitz,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In a social media video, Madi said her father's health declined in the months following an early-stage prostate cancer diagnosis.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
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The Administration submitted an emergency filing to the Supreme Court after an appeals court declined to block the injunction.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Lastly, Vanderbilt transfer JaQualon Roberts has an opportunity to make an immediate impact after his play-time with the Commodores tapered off in his sophomore season.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Oct. 2025
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For eastern Cuba, heavy rains will continue this morning, tapering off this afternoon.—
MIAMI HERALD HURRICANE BOT,
Miami Herald,
29 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 8 Nov. 2025.
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