variants
also racheting (down)
as in decreasing
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 ratcheting (down)
Verb
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For women, this meant decreasing intake to about 400 to 600 calories three days per week, while men reduced calories to around 500 to 700.—
Sarah Garone,
Health,
9 Jan. 2026 -
An expensive habit with a decreasing ROI.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Before the night was out, Germans began chipping away at the barrier, carrying off chunks of one of the symbols of the diminishing Iron Curtain.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
9 Nov. 2025
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Business leaders say that such policies risk accelerating an exodus of companies, diminishing the city’s commercial tax base, and ultimately affecting services and jobs essential to millions of New Yorkers.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The state’s political appetite to keep transitioning away from oil has been clearly ebbing as residents balk at the cost of everything in California, most notably the chronically high cost of gasoline and the periodic spikes during a hiccup in production.—
Tom Philp,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
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Daylight was ebbing as rescuers set up.—
Alan Gionet,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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To add 5,000 homes, millions of square feet of office space, half a million square feet of retail and 1,000 hotel rooms, developers cut down 1,400 acres of forest in a city where the tree canopy is steadily shrinking.—
Khadejeh Nikouyeh,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Nov. 2025
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Its high cost is due to a combination of huge demand and shrinking stocks, coupled with a laborious extraction process.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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For eastern Cuba, heavy rains will continue this morning, tapering off this afternoon.—
MIAMI HERALD HURRICANE BOT,
Miami Herald,
29 Oct. 2025
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The hot start dwindled in the second half, and after completing 10 of his first 14 passes, Loftis missed 12 of his next 22 passes, tapering off as the game got out of hand.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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True dandruff usually appears as larger white-to-yellow flakes with a slightly oily texture that stick to the scalp and hair rather than falling away like fine powder.—
Allure,
Allure,
18 Dec. 2025
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Like a snake shedding its skin, The Girlfriend’s expendable outer layers are falling away to reveal a more interesting core.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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According to the company, the declining profits stemmed from low drug reimbursement rates and slow retail sales.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
9 Jan. 2026
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After all, there are signs that the economy is improving (unemployment and inflation are declining), but after the economic struggles of recent years, and with household debt still high, an additional financing source won't hurt, either.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In his place is a true home-run threat, as Williams has shown no signs of letting up in a 592-yard, six-touchdown effort on the ground through seven games.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
24 Oct. 2025
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Tropical Storm Melissa continues to spin in the central Caribbean Sea and is showing no signs of letting up.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Ratcheting (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ratcheting%20%28down%29. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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