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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In her recommendation to reduce costs, Maeda suggested decreasing bimonthly water meter service charges for single-family utility customers by 25% and increasing the commodity per unit charge by 12% while maintaining the yearly rate of increase.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026 -
If economic growth slows or airline capacity additions decrease, service demand could soften from elevated levels.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Sources at the club who spoke to The Athletic on condition of anonymity to protect relationships say there is no diminishing faith in Hurzeler at boardroom level.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
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And some poor choices have not diminished the status of the Norwegian Nobel Committee as the international arbiter of moral courage.—
Sean Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Clearer disclosures, easier balance transfers, stronger competition among lenders, and pathways to refinancing all reduce costs without shrinking access.—
J.D. Hayworth,
Boston Herald,
24 Jan. 2026
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But for others, especially younger people, the upshot is fewer entry-level tasks and a shrinking pool for jobs.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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They wed in September 2021, in the ebbing months of the pandemic.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Jan. 2026
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Attendance naturally ebbed again as the Chiefs had one winning season between 2006 and 2012, leading to the hiring of Reid and a new vibrancy about ever since.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Coleman declined to pursue the case, a police report said.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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Across the other devices, both Mac and Wearables, Home & Accessories sales declined year over year, while the market anticipated slight growth.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Travel conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly once snow begins, and hazardous conditions could persist into Sunday morning before snow tapers off.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
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Snow from this weekend's storm is tapering off, but Arctic air is set to rush in and send temperatures plunging even further across much of the country over the next couple of days.—
Helen Graham,
NBC news,
26 Jan. 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 31 Jan. 2026.
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