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

In Iowa, for example, MercyOne Clinton Medical Center ended labor and delivery services earlier this year, citing decreased Medicaid funding as part of the reason.

— Rachel Cohen Booth, Vox, 30 Oct. 2026
Their systolic and diastolic blood pressure (which measures pressure when the heart relaxes) both decreased.

— Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of decreased

Verb

As with many early American utopian communities, their ranks diminished after the Civil War, but a small band of Shakers has persisted at Sabbathday.

— Peter Smith, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
Somewhat diminished in the film’s erratic attempts to contextualize this ever-metastasizing sickness is Odeh himself.

— David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of diminished

Verb

Whether DeSantis’ redistricting effort delivers for Republicans Florida’s new congressional maps shrunk the number of Democratic-leaning seats from eight to four.

— Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2026
The actuators push a piston with pressurized oil, much like the arm of an excavator, only shrunk down.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of shrank

Verb

Collins faces Democrat Troy Jackson, a former Maine Senate leader who stepped in to the race after scandals felled nominee Graham Platner in July.

— Justin Papp,Caleigh Keating,Garrett Downs,Kevin Breuninger,Dan Mangan, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2026
In the postwar decades, humans seized ecosystems at breakneck speed—forests were felled, prairies plowed, wetlands drained.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of fell

Verb

In the most recent year of accounting, homelessness increased slightly in the city but declined significantly in Raman’s council district.

— Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
The Post also sought comment on Alex’s allegations; when the agency asked for Alex’s personal information, the newspaper declined to provide it, citing his safety concerns.

— Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of declined

Verb

Eventually, the big infusions of sand that had built up Southern California’s famous beaches tapered off.

— Cindy Carcamo, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Nov. 2026
As the rains tapered off and the skies cleared, Paterson's annual Dominican parade stepped off Sunday afternoon, though with a slight delay.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Sep. 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 8 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of ratcheted (down)

verb

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