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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And the over-all number of abortions in the U.S. may eventually decrease as a result of Dobbs.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025 -
On the other hand, just 5 percent said tariffs would decrease prices in the short term, and 30 percent said the policy would lower prices in the long term.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Republicans’ budget process, known as reconciliation, can clear Congress with a simple majority and won’t require the help of Democrats, all but entirely diminishing their ability to derail the GOP’s plans.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
25 Mar. 2025
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Winds will shift to the northwest behind the front this evening, although speeds will also begin to diminish.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
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If the company stumbles—or worse, goes bust—your deferred cash could shrink or vanish.—
Anatoly Iofe,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
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Now the gap has shrunk to 5.3% behind 2024 and 35% behind 2019.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Yet after two world wars and decades of political and economic decline, London watched as sterling’s global status ebbed away.—
Edward Fishman,
Foreign Affairs,
8 Apr. 2025
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Even though mandates largely fell out of favor as the pandemic ebbed, the outcome of the legal challenge will determine how much power businesses and organizations have to investigate exemption requests in case of a future resurgence, prompting new mandates.—
Jonathan Shorman,
Kansas City Star,
3 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Therefore, sell-side strategists’ year-end price targets for the S & P 500 will decline unless the administration makes a significant shift on tariffs soon.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
7 Apr. 2025
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But declining attendances now sees that held in February each year.—
Philip Buckingham,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The viewership began to taper off after that point, but TGL’s regular season ratings still averaged 513,000 viewers.—
Gabby Herzig,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
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The winds are expected to taper off Friday, dropping to about 15 miles per hour.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
24 Mar. 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 17 Apr. 2025.
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