variants
also racheted (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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ratcheted (down)
Verb
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The average grade of ore has also diminished by around 40% since 1991, BHP says.—
Scott Neuman,
NPR,
16 Mar. 2025 -
The appetite of high street banks for lending has diminished, and investors are now much more focused on profitability and a clear understanding of runway rather than just fueling growth at any cost.—
Paul Klein,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The Latino share of the population in that area, a longtime enclave for Puerto Rican families, has shrunk faster than any other group in the last two decades.—
Winnie Hu,
New York Times,
19 Dec. 2024
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The economy has shrunk by eighty-five per cent during the civil war.—
Robin Wright,
The New Yorker,
19 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Yet the portion of Americans who drink has shrunk in recent years.—
Ivana Saric,
Axios,
3 Jan. 2025
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However, commercial whaling may have shrunk their populations in certain areas, such as the northeastern North Atlantic, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
2 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Related article Damage to ancient Hadrian’s Wall confirmed after famous UK tree ‘deliberately felled’ Jon Stokes, director of trees, science and research at the Tree Council, said in the trust’s statement that ancient oaks can live up to 1,000 years.—
Olivia Kemp,
CNN Money,
17 Apr. 2025
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In some scenes of the film, the relationship remains much closer as in Myanmar, where loggers use elephants to move giant trees felled for timber.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
23 Mar. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Ratcheted (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ratcheted%20%28down%29. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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