variants
also racheting (down)
as in decreasing
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 ratcheting (down)
Verb
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The biggest shift in the financial model of newspapers that has occurred in the transition from print to digital is a decreasing reliance on advertising and an increasing reliance on direct payments from subscribers.—
Hanna Rosin,
The Atlantic,
5 Feb. 2026 -
The formulation hits all the targets my tired eyes crave—brightening dark circles, decreasing puffiness, and reducing the look of fine lines.—
Cathy Nelson,
InStyle,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Her authority has been challenged in several high-profile cases, diminishing hopes in both progressive and populist MAGA circles for tough antitrust enforcement.—
Rohan Goswami,
semafor.com,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The tiredness of the players has a diminishing effect on the level of spectacle and the games and goals become unmemorable.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
They wed in September 2021, in the ebbing months of the pandemic.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Jan. 2026
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The state’s political appetite to keep transitioning away from oil has been clearly ebbing as residents balk at the cost of everything in California, most notably the chronically high cost of gasoline and the periodic spikes during a hiccup in production.—
Tom Philp,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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While some are ideologically motivated, this group is shrinking, intelligence officials say.—
Daria Tarasova-Markina,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
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Maryland’s future should not be defined by higher costs, bigger government and shrinking opportunity.—
Steve Hershey,
Baltimore Sun,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
After reaching peak market saturation, interest is tapering off.—
Quincy Bulin,
Southern Living,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Precipitation is expected to start Monday night with the heaviest precipitation Tuesday before tapering off by Wednesday.—
Chaewon Chung,
Sacbee.com,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Sunrays strobed down through the water, illuminating layer upon layer of marine life, falling away to the ocean floor some 15 feet below.—
Flora Stubbs,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Feb. 2026
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Away from McDavid and Draisaitl, a group is flourishing, but veterans who were counted on are falling away and losing playing time.—
Allan Mitchell,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
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According to the Iowa Cancer Registry, lung cancer incidence rates are declining slower in Iowa than in other states.—
Cami Koons,
Iowa Capital Dispatch,
5 Feb. 2026
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Measles-vaccination rates have been steadily declining for several years; since last January, the country has logged its two largest measles epidemics in more than three decades.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The heaviest rainfall will continue to focus over the windward portions of the islands, letting up Monday afternoon.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Feb. 2026
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Large, fluffy flakes fell for nearly 45 minutes near Interstate 77 Brawley School Road exit 35 and wasn’t letting up toward noon.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Ratcheting (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ratcheting%20%28down%29. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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