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.

The triple lock creates a big but unpredictable ratchet for the government’s social-spending bill: No one can guess over time how fast old-age social spending will grow.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 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

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

And also, to Judge McKeown’s point: Won’t this one-way ratchet just completely collapse public confidence in the judiciary?

From Slate • Mar. 13, 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