ratchet

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Other naval options, such as a selective blockage of Iranian imports, would ratchet up pressure on Iran to reopen the strait but probably wouldn’t yield quick results.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

But a third factor is entangled in this equation: access to food and water, both of which become more difficult to acquire as wars spread and global temperatures ratchet upward.

From Salon • Mar. 17, 2026

Investors might be protecting profits as geopolitical tensions ratchet higher.

From Barron's • Mar. 3, 2026

"The temporal ratchet mechanism fundamentally alters our view of how cytokinesis works," emphasized Jan Brugués, corresponding author of the study.

From Science Daily • Feb. 28, 2026

Really, just say, “Cash Money Records, takin’ over for the ’99 and the 2000,” and she suddenly becomes ratchet as hell.

From "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas