ratcheted (down)

verb

variants also racheted (down)
Definition of ratcheted (down)next
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ratcheted (down)
  1. diminished
  2. shrunk
  3. shrank
  4. fell
Verb
  • Recession fears have diminished, inflation is trending back toward 2 percent, and the labor market has rebalanced, but remains strong.
    Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024
  • The theme of running recurred, as did moments of isolation, with Abraham appearing preoccupied and diminished, unable to fully participate as the others moved around him.
    Jennifer Homans, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
Definition of diminished
Verb
  • The economy has shrunk by eighty-five per cent during the civil war.
    Robin Wright, The New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2024
  • The Latino share of the population in that area, a longtime enclave for Puerto Rican families, has shrunk faster than any other group in the last two decades.
    Winnie Hu, New York Times, 19 Dec. 2024
Definition of shrunk
Verb
  • Yet the portion of Americans who drink has shrunk in recent years.
    Ivana Saric, Axios, 3 Jan. 2025
  • Terrific films abound, but the audience that once rushed to see them in theaters has shrunk.
    Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2025
Definition of shrank
Verb
  • Minx’s reprieve was short-lived with season 2 being felled by limited press opportunities during the 2023 strikes — and sadly, third chances aren’t really a thing.
    EW Staff, EW.com, 6 Dec. 2024
  • On to the nominees: Jalen Arnold, Moreau Catholic football: Arnold caught three passes for 102 yards and two touchdowns and returned a kickoff 90 yards for a score as Moreau felled Ferndale 21-19 to win the NCS Division VII championship.
    Christian Babcock, The Mercury News, 2 Dec. 2024
Definition of fell
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 ratcheted (down)

ratchet (down)

ratcheted (down)

ratcheted (up)

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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 Jan. 2025.

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