ratchet (down)

verb

variants also rachet (down)
Definition of ratchet (down)next
as in to decrease
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

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ratchet (down)
  1. decrease
  2. diminish
  3. shrink
  4. ebb
  5. decline
  6. taper off
Verb
  • By Friday, winds decrease as chances for a second round of snow increase.
    Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Depression risk further decreased for every additional 1,000 steps, with the lowest risk at 7,000 to 10,000 daily steps.
    Sarah Garone, Health, 8 Jan. 2025
Definition of decrease
Verb
  • That’s a trend that’s stayed steady throughout the season to the point that any upward regression expected by the model has diminished.
    Dom Luszczyszyn, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
  • Maryland faltered for the first time, a loss that dims but shouldn’t diminish its impressive start as its ceiling comes clearer into focus.
    Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 9 Jan. 2025
Definition of diminish
Verb
  • Cavuto’s exit also means the number of original Fox News stars continues to shrink.
    Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Across Africa, notably in Sudan, Russia’s shadow shrinks apace with the loss of Syria’s ports to relay supplies southward.
    Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Definition of shrink
Verb
  • Once the tide ebbs to its lowest point, guests are led to a dining table set on the ocean floor that offers front row seats to an amazing view.
    Caitlin Palumbo, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
  • To be sure, fears of escalation related to regime survival have ebbed as Russia’s position stabilized.
    Michael Poznansky, Foreign Affairs, 3 Jan. 2025
Definition of ebb
Verb
  • DeSantis had urged lawmakers to intervene before that point but declined to call a special session to force their hand.
    Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Part of the reason for this appears to be the expectation that mortgage rates may decline in future and the associated uncertainty for long-term rates.
    Simon Moore, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Definition of decline
Verb
  • But while red flag warnings will be in effect for Los Angeles County and much of Ventura County until 6 p.m. Thursday, the strong winds are forecast to taper off Wednesday afternoon as an ocean breeze blows onto the coast.
    Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
  • More was coming, though it was slated to taper off into Monday.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 5 Jan. 2025
Definition of taper off
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near ratchet (down)

ratbags

ratchet (down)

ratcheted (down)

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Cite this Entry

“Ratchet (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ratchet%20%28down%29. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

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