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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ratchets (down)
Verb
-
Once the wind enters the open valley, the velocity decreases, and the grains are deposited.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Oct. 2025 -
Alcohol decreases helpful gut microbes and increases harmful microbes.—
Cynthia Sass,
Health,
21 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,
14 Oct. 2025
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The federal determination highlights how permitting males to compete on female teams displaces female athletes from podiums, denies them advancement opportunities, and diminishes their visibility and recognition in competitions.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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For more severe cases, Orlando says procedures such as rubber band ligation (placing a small band around the base of an internal hemorrhoid to cut off its blood supply) and sclerotherapy (an injection that shrinks the hemorrhoid), may be recommended.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
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For them the band shrinks to 63 to 140 mg/dL because higher glucose levels can hurt the developing fetus.—
Lauren J. Young,
Scientific American,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But the rain chance tapers off on Sunday, with a 40% chance.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
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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
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Overall, the most prevalent cause of bird population declines is habitat loss and degradation, driven especially by agricultural expansion and intensification and logging, the IUCN said.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
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Prices up 2% but concessions show declines, especially condos (-11%).—
Sara B. Hansen,
Denver Post,
18 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 23 Oct. 2025.
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