variants
also racheted (down)
as in decreased
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 ratcheted (down)
Verb
-
In 2024, that decreased to 20 percent.—
Ashley Wu,
New York Times,
18 May 2026 -
School enrollment numbers have decreased markedly in Connecticut in the past two years.—
Sasha Allen,
Hartford Courant,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Another theory suggests regulatory changes in China a few years ago appear to have diminished the availability of precursor chemicals used to make fentanyl.—
Mike Stobbe,
Fortune,
13 May 2026
-
The roles of China and Russia, as Iran’s allies, are strengthened; the role of the United States, substantially diminished.—
Robert Kagan,
The Atlantic,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
By the end of the year, the epidemic in Chihuahua state finally ebbed.—
Mary Beth Sheridan,
CNN Money,
17 May 2026
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And his fascination with Xi hasn’t ebbed.—
Vivian Salama,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
The 1922 agreement that divided the water among the states doled out more than was actually flowing, and since 2000, the river has shrunk dramatically as climate change intensifies dry conditions in the Rocky Mountains.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
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Betz also pointed to Michigan's lower birth rates, which have shrunk the pool of 18-year-olds seeking a college education, a trend that heavily impacts small private institutions like Siena Heights.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Verb
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But they were felled by poor shooting Friday, making just 35% overall and were particularly bad from long range.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
-
But before he was felled at age 68 by a heart attack, Joiner had shared what was in the briefcase with the lead Louisiana State Police investigator on the case, Stefan Montgomery, Joiner's son and the LSP confirmed.—
Stephanie Gosk,
NBC news,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Yolo County’s homeless population declined slightly over the past two years, but nearly two-thirds of the people counted in January were living outdoors as county leaders considered millions of dollars in cuts to the services many rely on.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
16 May 2026
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Nearby homeowner Mike, who declined to provide his last name and lost his home in the 2017 Tubbs Fire, said the changing weather is a reminder of how quickly fire danger can escalate.—
Da Lin,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Their 3-point shooting quickly tapered off for the remainder of the game.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2026
-
While Brent crude has tapered off from its wartime high of $126 per barrel at the end of April, prices are still more than 38% above levels seen before the Middle East conflict intensified.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
8 May 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Ratcheted (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ratcheted%20%28down%29. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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