variants
also rachet (down)
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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ratchet (down)
Verb
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Unlike widening, which decreases the cost of driving and thus causes demand to rebound, congestion pricing regulates the cost of driving in a particular area or lane to tamp down on traffic, Burris explains.—
Allison Parshall,
Scientific American,
25 Feb. 2025 -
The analysis found spending on metformin, an older first-line oral drug for Type 2 diabetes that's available as a generic, decreased 5% over the five years studied, to $623 million.—
Adriel Bettelheim,
Axios,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The absence of Ayo Dosunmu — who is dealing with shoulder discomfort from a long-term injury — further diminished the Bulls roster.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2025
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Suitable for all skin types, the face oil hydrates while improving elasticity and diminishing the appearance of fine lines.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The team found that mature giant kelp beds shrank after the 2016 Soberanes fire in Monterey County, the 2017 Thomas fire in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, and the 2018 Woolsey fire in the Santa Monica Mountains.—
Corinne Purtill,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2025
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Their education and job opportunities will shrink as a result.—
Gary Franks,
Hartford Courant,
1 Mar. 2025
Verb
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De Jong has five more starts than Pepi, and three fewer goals which would suggest that, at 34, his prolific powers are beginning to ebb.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
The Athletic,
25 Nov. 2024
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Aquifers in Chula Vista (in San Diego County), Santa Ana (Orange County) and Santa Clara (Bay Area) were seen to ebb and swell with periods, respectively, of drought and precipitation.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Research from analytics firm Gallup shows that U.S. alcohol consumption is declining, with younger generations drinking significantly less than their predecessors.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
2 Mar. 2025
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Daily meme coin launches peaked shortly after the $trump coin debut but have declined sharply.—
Billy Bambrough,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Wednesday: Snow tapering off by midday, high near 17.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
12 Feb. 2025
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This snow tapers off during the early morning hours, but there still could be a few lingering snow showers around daybreak Sunday.—
Nadine El-Bawab,
ABC News,
8 Feb. 2025
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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 11 Mar. 2025.
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