Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun ratchet

1 sense of ratchet

Sense 1
ratchet, rachet, ratch -- (mechanical device consisting of a toothed wheel or rack engaged with a pawl that permits it to move in only one direction)
       => mechanical device -- (mechanism consisting of a device that works on mechanical principles)

Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb ratchet

1 sense of ratchet

Sense 1
ratchet, rachet up, ratchet down -- (move by degrees in one direction only; "a ratcheting lopping tool")
       => advance, progress, pass on, move on, march on, go on -- (move forward, also in the metaphorical sense; "Time marches on")