variants
also rachets (down)
as in decreases
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 ratchets (down)
Verb
-
Magnesium absorption decreases with higher dosages.—
Trang Tran,
Verywell Health,
7 Oct. 2025 -
As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 Oct. 2025
-
But the sale also diminishes some hopes that Berkshire would buy Oxy in its entirety, potentially hurting the stock.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
And the thymus gland, the producer of white blood cells, shrinks and weakens over time.—
Jocelyn Solis-Moreira,
Flow Space,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Kansas City’s win shrinks the second tier Major shakeups happened among second-tier contenders this week.—
Scott Phillips,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But the rain chance tapers off on Sunday, with a 40% chance.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
-
But as children become adults, their involvement in athletics typically tapers off — opting to watch sports games from the couch rather than participating in them.—
Hadley Hitson,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Fox News showed year-over-year viewership growth in the September ratings, while CNN and MSNBC saw significant audience declines.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
2 Oct. 2025
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If either side declines to pick up their side of the option, as seems likely, Steer and the left-handed-hitting Will Benson could form a platoon in left field to replace Hays, with TJ Friedl in center and Noelvi Marte in right.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Ratchets (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ratchets%20%28down%29. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
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