RATCHETED (DOWN) Synonyms: 77 Similar and Opposite Words

ratcheted (down)

verb

variants also racheted (down)

past tense of ratchet (down)

as in decreased

to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually news stories about the kidnapping will ratchet down as the weeks go by

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for ratcheted (down)

Verb

Despite the record, nuclear's share of the global energy supply slightly decreased as the overall energy market grew faster.

— Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
But the uptick citywide this year contrasted sharply with Raman’s district, where homelessness actually decreased by 49%.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of decreased

Verb

The district, which previously favored Democrats, now tilts toward Republicans, and some Memphis voters have raised concerns that their representation has been diminished.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
Comparisons with 2023, when European river flows were generally around average, show just how diminished some of these key waterways are.

— Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of diminished

Verb

Daniel de Visé Consumer sentiment ebbed in July, continuing a generally downward slide that began in 2021, according to the Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index.

— Rachel Barber, USA Today, 29 July 2026
On SpaceX’s first day of trading, Wood’s Ark invested about half a billion in SpaceX, and has purchased more as the price has ebbed since its opening day.

— Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 13 July 2026

Definition of ebbed

Verb

The return to form is all the more stunning given that book sales overall are barely rising, and Amazon, which nearly felled Barnes & Noble in the 2010s, is still a threat.

— Phil Wahba, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026
Each measures 500 square feet, with its walls, ceilings, and timber beams made from pine trees felled on site.

— Madeline Bilis, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of fell

Verb

The conditions were wet and and slippery at first, but the rain appears to have tapered off now.

— NBC News, NBC news, 28 June 2026
And several of the unflattering stats have tapered off a ton this last year, including sacks taken (27 in 2025, down from 62 in 2023).

— Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 24 June 2026

Definition of tapered off

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ratchet (down)

ratcheted (down)

ratcheted (up)

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“Ratcheted (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ratcheted%20%28down%29. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of ratcheted (down)

verb

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