Synonyms of ribbing

ribbing 1 of 3

adjective

as in joking

marked by or expressive of mild or good-natured teasing

the lightly ribbing tone tipped me off that this wasn't a serious reprimand

Synonyms & Similar Words

• joking
• razzing
• bantering
• sarcastic
• kidding
• joshing
• mocking
• quizzical
• jesting
• rallying
• fooling
• chaffing
• funning
• ridiculing
• heckling
• needling
• derisive
• taunting
• baiting
• jeering
• scornful
• quipping
• contemptuous
• bandying
• derisory
• deriding
• hassling
• disdainful

ribbing

2 of 3

noun

as in mocking

Related Words

• mocking
• razzing
• kidding
• fooling
• richness
• facetiousness
• ridiculing
• wordplay
• humor
• barb
• joke
• witticism
• wit
• drollness
• funniness
• laugh
• wisecrack
• banter
• humorousness
• hilariousness
• gag
• quip
• pleasantry
• gambit
• raillery
• jest
• badinage
• jesting
• dig
• sally
• repartee
• nothings
• persiflage
• crack
• give-and-take
• chatter
• joshing
• chaff
• small talk
• chitchat
• waggery
• gossip
• backchat

ribbing

3 of 3

verb

present participle of rib

as in teasing

to make fun of in a good-natured way

ribbed him a bit about fumbling such an easy play

Synonyms & Similar Words

• teasing
• kidding
• joking
• razzing
• roasting
• joshing
• chaffing
• bantering
• jiving
• riding
• rallying
• goofing on
• taking the mickey out of
• jesting
• funning
• wisecracking
• fooling
• jollying
• quipping
• stringing along
• yukking
• japing
• gagging

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ribbing

Adjective

Their trademark humor — that mix of cheeky absurdism and brotherly ribbing — is fully intact, recalling their ‘60s press conferences that won the hearts of a suspicious media. — Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025

This strapless bra delivers a surprising amount of support and structure, with a longline silhouette, hook-and-eye closure, and subtle ribbing that give it a slightly corset-like feel. — Malia Griggs, Glamour, 26 Nov. 2025

Noun

There are a lot of knowing nods and winks to past horror landmarks as well, notably Videodrome and The Shining, and more than a few gentle ribbings of the clichés of the Golden Age of slashers. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 20 May 2026

Plus, the vertical ribbing gives a subtle lengthening effect (always a win). — Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026

Verb

The left-hander has stuck with the Mavs, despite his buddies back home ribbing him about the Spurs and Victor Wembanyama. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 7 June 2026

Murphy returned the favor by ribbing him by saying that every time Lee’s beloved New York Knicks lost their bid to become NBA champs, Lee was in the building. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 19 Apr. 2026