RATCHETED (DOWN) Synonyms: 77 Similar and Opposite Words

ratcheted (down)

verb

variants also racheted (down)

past tense of ratchet (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

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for ratcheted (down)

Verb

Madrid’s regional government said the fires decreased in intensity as winds and temperatures dropped.

— Mark Carlson, Fortune, 25 July 2026
Madrid’s regional government said the blazes decreased in intensity as winds and temperatures dropped.

— Mark Carlson, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2026

Definition of decreased

Verb

But even without that hurdle, the incentive to sue has diminished now that basketball players can earn millions of dollars years before going to the NBA.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 28 July 2026
Workers seek transparency regarding AI's impact on their roles, assurance against job losses, and confidence that their value isn't diminished.

— Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Definition of diminished

Verb

Daniel de Visé Consumer sentiment ebbed in July, continuing a generally downward slide that began in 2021, according to the Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index.

— Rachel Barber, USA Today, 29 July 2026
On SpaceX’s first day of trading, Wood’s Ark invested about half a billion in SpaceX, and has purchased more as the price has ebbed since its opening day.

— Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 13 July 2026

Definition of ebbed

Verb

All the providers declined to speak with CNN about ongoing litigation.

— Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 26 July 2026
People who improved their adherence to MIND over 10 years, including those who didn’t follow it closely at first, had a 25% lower risk of dementia than those whose adherence declined.

— Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026

Definition of declined

Verb

The conditions were wet and and slippery at first, but the rain appears to have tapered off now.

— NBC News, NBC news, 28 June 2026
And several of the unflattering stats have tapered off a ton this last year, including sacks taken (27 in 2025, down from 62 in 2023).

— Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 24 June 2026

Definition of tapered off

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ratchet (down)

ratcheted (down)

ratcheted (up)

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“Ratcheted (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ratcheted%20%28down%29. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of ratcheted (down)

verb

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