RATCHETING (DOWN) Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

ratcheting (down)

verb

variants also racheting (down)

present participle of ratchet (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

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for ratcheting (down)

Verb

The flashing yellow phase at the traffic signal is also meant to help with traffic flow and reduce emissions by decreasing wait times at the light.

— Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2026
In addition, this development shows that behind-the-scenes diplomacy can still be effective, even in an atmosphere of decreasing trust among allies.

— the Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of decreasing

Verb

This decision is not about diminishing the suffering of innocent Palestinians or denying anyone the right to advocate on their behalf.

— Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2026
Choose opportunities that expand your options without diminishing your excellence.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of diminishing

Verb

The autocracies are surging, and democracies ebbing.

— Simon Sebag Montefiore, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026
That number has fluctuated from a high of 115,000 in May to a low of about 16,000 on the day before this column was published, ebbing and flowing as tickets were purchased, new batches were released and FIFA (maybe) pulled back others.

— Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 10 June 2026

Definition of ebbing

Verb

Engineers can try to speed them up by shrinking the physical components or applying external magnetic forces.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026
Rising logistics costs, shrinking margins and persistent supply chain volatility, in particular, are pushing leaders toward agentic AI and machine learning for demand forecasting and inventory placement.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of shrinking

Verb

Al-Deek says relief can come from a few different directions — hormone replacement therapy, switching to a different antidepressant, adjusting your dose or tapering off the medication altogether.

— Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 28 Aug. 2026
Rain chances continue into Thursday, with storm activity tapering off in the evening.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of tapering off

Verb

When algorithms see these frictions falling away, the need for a driver premium plummets, deflating the surge price.

— Christopher S. Tang, The Conversation, 8 July 2026
But the memorandum drafted between Kyiv and Washington on an early-stage drone deal appears to suggest those obstacles may be falling away.

— Aidan Stretch, CBS News, 12 May 2026

Definition of falling away

Verb

Compared to the rapidly declining number of referrals from traditional search engines — which once numbered in the tens of millions — these AI clicks are a tiny drop in the bucket.

— Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 24 Sep. 2026
North Central President Abiódún Gòkè-Paríolá said he was thrilled by the enrollment numbers, especially as colleges across the country are grappling with a declining high school graduate population.

— Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of declining

Verb

With protests against the moves beginning to take shape, the crackdowns show no signs of letting up, even as international attention and condemnation begins to pour in.

— Chris Massaro, FOXNews.com, 17 Sep. 2026
But on this Labor Day, working people are struggling amid an affordability crisis that shows no signs of letting up.

— Mario Cilento, New York Daily News, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of letting up

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

ratcheted (up)

ratcheting (down)

ratcheting (up)

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Style

“Ratcheting (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ratcheting%20%28down%29. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of ratcheting (down)

verb

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