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.

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

Likewise, $200 oil would ratchet up the probability of a global recession—40% to 60%—and global stock markets would fall 15% to 30% from their highs.

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 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

When they close, they actually lock in place, thanks to a series of tendon notches that allow them to ratchet their grip tighter and tighter.

From Slate • Feb. 21, 2026

A venerable tradition, dating back to the ancient Greek orators, teaches that if you don’t know what you’re talking about, just ratchet up the level of difficulty and no one will ever know.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner