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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After a round of layoffs in September, Benioff said AI is decreasing his need for customer support staff.—
Aman Kidwai,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025 -
When women undergo perimenopause or menopause, decreasing estrogen levels put them at greater risk of heart disease.—
Sandra Rose Salathe,
Flow Space,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile, the returns on scaling up chatbots are, at present, diminishing.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
30 Oct. 2025
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Adopting China’s position in this way would be a blunder, diminishing Taiwan’s resolve to resist Chinese aggression and coercion.—
STEPHEN WERTHEIM,
Foreign Affairs,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Rising drug and hospital costs are often cited as major culprits for rising health insurance costs, and neither shows signs of ebbing.—
Phil Galewitz,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In the second quarter, while many fast-food rivals reported shrinking sales, Taco Bell reported same-store sales growth of 4%.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
24 Oct. 2025
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But shrinking pixels isn’t simple.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 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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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
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Gallagher had an underwhelming first year with Atletico, which started well before falling away, and now finds himself no longer a first choice for coach Diego Simeone.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The documents contained details of disciplinary action and indicated that Sherrill was prohibited from participating in her 1994 graduation ceremony after declining to identify classmates implicated in a cheating incident.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
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The country’s bear population is increasing, perhaps because the human population is declining and abandoning rural settlements.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
30 Oct. 2025
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 5 Nov. 2025.
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