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
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Previous research has demonstrated that direct exposure to nature significantly reduces physiological stress, lowers heart rates and decreases levels of stress hormones, like cortisol.
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This risk decreases as the storm moves away.
Verb
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In most lakes oxygen content diminishes rapidly at depths below 35 feet.
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None of this diminishes the responsibility of wealthy countries.
Verb
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The district’s cash on hand naturally ebbs and flows depending on when revenue arrives, but repeated Cook County property tax delays last year have deepened the problem.
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Participation ebbs and flows with the economy, dropping to 35 million in 2019.
Verb
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Still, Beijing is betting billions of dollars on humanoid robots as a strategic technology that could increase productivity as economic growth slows and its workforce shrinks.
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Under sustained acceleration, leadership teams frequently start operating within more compressed decision cycles where immediate demands dominate attention and time for reflection gradually shrinks.
Verb
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Acuna’s show business resume tapers off in the mid-2010’s, according to IMDB.
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After the strongest storms move out, colder air will settle in with the possibility of a few wet snowflakes before the precipitation tapers off.
Verb
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Economists have warned that the revenue bump is potentially temporary and analysts say the growth in state spending could leave California in a challenging position if the economy declines.
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For Markiplier, the last few months have been a study in what happens when a creator with 36 million subscribers walks through Hollywood’s front door and declines to become its creature.
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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 7 Jul. 2026.
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