ratchet
noun
a toothed bar with which a pawl engages.
ratchets
-
pluralof ratchet.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
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.
That is until Thatcher ratchets up the eerie tension tenfold while Refn builds his gorgeous fantasy around her.
From Salon ● Aug. 17, 2026
As tech companies’ appetite for data centers ratchets up demand for fiber-optic cables, drillers, linemen and splicers are pulling in soaring pay nationwide.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 4, 2026
This ratchets up complaints about spoilers: Adams had to be driven from the race first.
From Salon ● Nov. 2, 2025
Woman Is A Tree opens with discordant harmonies, inspired by cult horror show Yellowjackets; while broiling anti-war anthem Rifles ratchets its tempo ever-upwards.
From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2025
I love how the sky stays light right into evening, how Lake Michigan gets busy with sailboats and the heat ratchets up to the point that it’s almost impossible to recall the struggles of winter.
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
