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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But over that same span, the number of boys playing flag football actually decreased.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026 -
Short-term rates have come down as the Federal Reserve decreased the federal funds rate, but the central bank opted to pause rate cuts in January.—
Michelle Fox,
CNBC,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The mood around EVs can be attributed to many factors, such as the loss of federal tax credits in 2025; the end of emissions waivers and revenues from carbon credits; and diminished aftermarket values as consumers fear battery degradation and anticipate quickly evolving technologies.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Davie’s successor will inherit an organization wrestling with its place in a media ecosystem dominated by overseas tech giants, as well as battling enemies closer to home, with conservative politicians and media proprietors wishing to see the BBC diminished during charter renewal.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Finally, mercifully, the Bill Belichick/Brady era ebbed and ended.—
Greg Cote
January 26,
Miami Herald,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Attendance naturally ebbed again as the Chiefs had one winning season between 2006 and 2012, leading to the hiring of Reid and a new vibrancy about ever since.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The wrinkle is that Les has accidentally shrunk Lindy to six inches high, adding a high-concept twist to the relationship drama.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Today, the number of GE employees in Schenectady has shrunk dramatically.—
Natalia Sánchez Loayza,
Scientific American,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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When a newspaper is felled by careless or malicious owners, millions of people are hurt, in big ways and small ways and ways that are impossible to measure.—
Alexandra Petri,
The Atlantic,
5 Feb. 2026
-
France passes budget after failed no-confidence votes France passed an annual budget, ending a long-running debacle that felled prime ministers, amplified support for the far right, and raised doubts over the country’s long-term finances.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Police and city leaders declined to comment on her claims when approached by CNN.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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The driver and the bicyclist, who was struck, declined to be taken to the hospital.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The questions about the interceptions have tapered off with his high schoolers.—
Jeff Howe,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
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Things tapered off down the stretch.—
D. Orlando Ledbetter,
AJC.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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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 12 Feb. 2026.
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