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
-
Regardless of the prevalence, finding ways to relieve the symptoms and decrease stress is essential.—
Ashley Olivine, Ph.D., MPH,
Verywell Health,
31 Jan. 2025 -
One 2024 study of 1,247 adults from 91 countries by the University of Southampton and Bath found that, after a month of practicing mindfulness for 10 minutes daily, participants reported reduced depression, improved wellbeing, and decreased anxiety.—
Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
31 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
And so my part was always diminished in his presence.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
2 Feb. 2025
-
However, as time progresses, intimacy can diminish, leading to a sense of disconnection.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
1 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Abnormally high temperatures above the Hudson Bay and the Labrador Sea helped shrink Arctic sea ice to a record low for January, Copernicus said.—
Raymond Zhong,
New York Times,
6 Feb. 2025
-
The device started small, got bigger, but has now shrunk again.—
Ben Coxworth,
New Atlas,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Prices peaked at $4.82 a dozen then before falling by more than half, to $2.04 a dozen, the following summer, as the outbreaks ebbed.—
Nick Coltrain,
The Denver Post,
28 Jan. 2025
-
The chaos of the cathedral ebbed away quite suddenly.—
Kayla Aletha Welch,
Longreads,
19 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
And yet the United States needs immigrants to offset the declining birth rate in this country.—
Brad Wolf,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
-
Lower morale: Motivation declines when workers feel like their efforts don’t lead to meaningful progress.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The longest length tapers off mid-calf on a five-foot-ten model and is slightly longer than 45 inches in length.—
Alexis Bennett Parker,
Vogue,
4 Feb. 2025
-
In the Los Angeles-area, the rain that has triggered flooding and mudslides since the weekend mostly tapered off by Monday afternoon.—
Christopher Cann,
USA TODAY,
27 Jan. 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.
Thesaurus Entries Near ratchet (down)
Cite this Entry
“Ratchet (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ratchet%20%28down%29. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share