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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The top three contributors to hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
25 June 2025 -
The three main causes of hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
25 June 2025
Verb
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Flagg won’t be the only rookie cashing in: Every first-round selection in this year’s draft is projected to earn a seven-figure salary, although each slot has a diminishing value.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
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And the chaos does gradually diminish, like a pot of stock boiled down to a sauce.—
Tom Gliatto,
People.com,
26 June 2025
Verb
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Because of rising wage inequality, more and more earnings have become concentrated above this tax limit and the tax base for Social Security has shrunk as a result, as my colleagues and I already discussed about a decade ago.—
Christian Weller,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
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That means that as intimate partner violence increases, the resources for women affected by it are shrinking.—
Alana Semuels,
Time,
17 June 2025
Verb
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After 14 seasons in which its popularity barely ever ebbed, Blue Bloods was canceled by CBS in Nov. 2023.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
3 June 2025
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As his adrenalin ebbs with relief, Aaron turns to the destruction.—
Jennifer Berry Hawes,
ProPublica,
19 May 2025
Verb
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Iran's missile launches have declined, though officials have not explained.—
Amanda Castro
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 June 2025
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That provision alarmed Democratic lawmakers at a time when public districts large and small are seeing their enrollments decline as more Florida families choose charters, private schools or homeschool options.—
Kate Payne,
The Orlando Sentinel,
18 June 2025
Verb
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In early 2025, prices rise again, peaking at $4.79 on Feb. 8, then taper off to around $4.00 by early May, finishing at $4.47 on May 17, 2025.—
Joe Murphy,
NBC news,
12 June 2025
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The hiring pressures of a few years ago have tapered off.—
William Dunkelberg,
Forbes.com,
12 June 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 29 Jun. 2025.
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