ratchet (up)

verb

variants also rachet (up)
Definition of ratchet (up)next
as in to bump (up)

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ratchet (up)
  1. maximize
  2. increase
Verb
  • Leaders are expected to eliminate excess capacity, reduce working capital, streamline organizations, consolidate vendors and maximize the use of assets.
    — Erik Clarke, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • This means that maximizing profits and shareholder value – which is the sole concern of corporations according to some prescriptive schools of economic thought – is not the company's only priority.
    — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of maximize
Verb
  • Some studies also suggest moving commuting times nearer to dusk in the fall increases the risk of vehicle collisions with deer and other wildlife, which are more active around sunset.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Advance voting has also increased more than 30% from the same point four years ago in Maine, Michigan, North Carolina and Kansas, states with competitive Senate races.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of increase
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.

Browse Nearby Words

ratchets (up)
ratchet (up)
rate
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Cite this Entry

“Ratchet (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ratchet%20%28up%29. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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