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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Despite being a required vaccine in all states to attend public school, rates have been steadily decreasing over the last decade, CDC data shows.—
Arthur Jones II,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026 -
Firstly, glasses with any tint, regardless of color, will decrease overall light transmission.—
John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs And Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast,
Hartford Courant,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Quiet Maryam and mercurial Farhan—eight years apart—had often squabbled, gone through periods of not talking, but without her sister as a foil, Maryam was diminished.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
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The result, of course, is that both nations are diminished.—
Tom Zirpoli,
Baltimore Sun,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The ultra-low cost carrier was expected to exit bankruptcy – its second since 2024 – by this summer after reaching an agreement with creditors that would eliminate billions in debt and further shrink its fleet of Airbus jets.—
Kris Van Cleave,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
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Benefits are quietly shrinking too The rollbacks that companies are pushing in today’s economy have also extended to benefits and perks.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Immigration — long a pipeline for population growth — has ebbed significantly under a federal crackdown.—
National Correspondent,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
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An outbreak forced farmers and commercial producers to slaughter entire broods of egg-laying hens, but ebbing cases in the second half of last year helped restore egg supplies, said Mark Jordan, the executive director of agricultural research firm LEAP Market Analytics.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After reviewing the case, the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office and the Draper City Prosecutor have declined to file charges against Paul, citing insufficient evidence to prove allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
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The California Supreme Court on Wednesday, April 15, declined to hear Eastman’s appeal of a lower court ruling recommending his disbarment, essentially certifying that recommendation.—
Andre Mouchard,
Oc Register,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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What initially felt like a meteoric rise tapered off into a slow burn.—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
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Showers continue through the morning and will gradually taper off by early afternoon.—
Steven Sosna,
CBS News,
17 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 19 Apr. 2026.
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