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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Coaxing summer-flowering annuals to flower in fall is hit and miss as nutrient availability is dwindling and hours of daylight are decreasing.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Sep. 2025 -
The central bank is expected to start decreasing rates at its meeting next week after being on pause since December.—
Michelle Fox,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The difference is the wisdom to recognize that giving away public-trust land and diminishing our quality of life forsakes the permanent greater good for the temporary benefit of a few developers and residents.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Sep. 2025
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In an era of diminishing trust in government institutions and the media, conspiracy theories about high-profile crimes can get significant traction in the absence of a conclusive motive.—
Ernesto Londoño,
Twin Cities,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In ‘04, three seasons after the last of five national championships, Miami’s glory-days era was ebbing.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The population is shrinking, and the region has struggled economically.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
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The latest aftershocks follow two earthquakes that ravaged a nation already crushed by war, poverty and shrinking aid.—
Mohammad Yunus Yawar,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The incremental performance enhancements from larger models are tapering off, and the availability of high-quality training data is becoming a limiting factor – much of the easily obtainable data on the Internet has already been utilized.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Each practice has featured myriad personnel groupings, with the offensive and defensive scheme installs tapering off as game preparation takes shape.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Aug. 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 negativity around Wilson wasn’t only about his declining physical skills.—
Ian O'Connor,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
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Still, there is some evidence click-throughs per search are declining.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The expansion is being fueled by its cloud infrastructure business as demand for AI is showing no signs of letting up.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
10 Sep. 2025
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And there are no signs of letting up as a new nine-month term dawns in October with more major cases awaiting.—
Jan Wolfe,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 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 14 Sep. 2025.
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