ratchets (up)

verb

variants also rachets (up)
present tense third-person singular of ratchet (up)
as in bumps (up)

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ratchets (up)
  1. increases
  2. maximizes
Verb
  • Banks are happy to oblige, issuing loans and credit with high interest rates to low-income individuals with questionable credit ratings, which increases the likelihood of loan defaults and bankruptcies.
    — Eric Khant, Sun Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Goldman said that its best-case scenario places Brent in the $60-per-barrel range in 2027, but only if oil production in the Persian Gulf increases by 1 million barrels a day above its pre-war levels.
    — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of increases
Verb
  • An internal polymer maximizes energy transfer and dampens vibration – making shots feel soft and powerful, while soaring high and tight.
    — Scott Kramer, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The Besiost Corner Closet System exudes luxury boutique vibes and has a clever design that maximizes storage space for clothing, shoes, and accessories.
    — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of maximizes
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

ratchets (down)
ratchets (up)
ratchet (up)
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Cite this Entry

“Ratchets (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ratchets%20%28up%29. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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