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
-
The elimination of prop bets would decrease revenue by more than $2 million per year, according to the fiscal note produced by the Legislative Council Staff.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
24 Apr. 2026 -
And while low-cost housing has decreased, rents have risen.—
Desiree Mathurin
April 24,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Perpetuating ageism diminishes all of us.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
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The change reflects assessment that downside risks from a severe and prolonged tariff shock have diminished after US duties on Thai exports were reduced to levels broadly in line with regional peers, Moody’s said in a statement Tuesday.—
Bloomberg,
Bloomberg,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Rampell’s writing and commentary do not reflect the views of actual neoconservatives, who champion shrinking the welfare state as well as a robustly interventionist foreign policy.—
Ron Kampeas,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Spirit has aggressively axed its costs, selling aircraft and shrinking its network.—
Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Cuba has been under the longest-running sanctions regime America has imposed on any country, but the severity has ebbed and flowed.—
Gisela Salim-Peyer,
The Atlantic,
23 Apr. 2026
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The good news is over 162 games production inevitably ebbs and flows, so before long the Red Sox will make some adjustments and the results should improve.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Sturm declined comment on the elbow.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The Nuggets refused to engage, declining to respond on the off day.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Showers will gradually taper off Sunday morning, but clouds may linger into part of Sunday afternoon.—
Steven Sosna,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
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The 2025 event in Virginia helped bolster the coin's value for a time, but interest in the currency again tapered off.—
Lucien Bruggeman,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 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 26 Apr. 2026.
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