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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ratchet (down)
Verb
-
The three main causes of hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
14 June 2025 -
Several people are still unaccounted for, but the number of missing people has slowly decreased, a San Antonio Fire Department spokesperson confirmed to PEOPLE.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
14 June 2025
Verb
-
The 25-year-old’s sample might be small, but in an era of diminishing workloads, Zack Wheeler and Max Fried are the only current starters averaging 6 1/3 innings.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
-
Augmenting Human Relationships with AI AI's role in enhancing efficiency does not diminish the need for human expertise in B2B interactions.—
John Bruno,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
Verb
-
The states sued after the administration terminated over 1,000 grants and placed 85% of AmeriCorps' staff on administrative leave with the intent to terminate them effective June 24 as part of a push by Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency to shrink the federal government.—
Nate Raymond,
USA Today,
6 June 2025
-
The unemployment rate held steady at 4.2%, but the workforce shrank by 625,000 people.—
Scott Horsley,
NPR,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
Choi’s style conveys that the world, even at its worst, rewards devoted examination; her characters’ long arcs, meanwhile, remind readers that just because anger has ebbed doesn’t mean it’s gone.—
Lily Meyer,
The Atlantic,
3 June 2025
-
So why the ebbing growth as the global generative AI push remains in full force?—
Derek Saul,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
Verb
-
The April 11 ruling came during a hearing in Maryland, where a Justice Department attorney declined to provide basic details about Abrego Garcia’s whereabouts.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
7 June 2025
-
Blain declined to comment on the lawsuit after it was filed.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
Yet as lending has tapered off and grace periods on many loans have expired, China has emerged as the world's largest official creditor, according to a new report from the Lowy Institute, an Australian foreign policy think tank.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
-
According to Sea-Intelligence, there is a continuing year-over-year reduction in ocean freight capacity to both coasts until the start of June, before the West Coast availability tapers off again throughout the month.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
23 May 2025
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.
Cite this Entry
“Ratchet (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ratchet%20%28down%29. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share