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
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as in mocking
Related Words
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ribbing
Malia Griggs, Glamour, 26 Nov. 2025
This crewneck cardigan is one of the most timeless and versatile pieces on this list, with subtle ribbing and flared sleeves that add a bit of volume to the otherwise figure-skimming sweater.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 11 Nov. 2025
Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2025
Beverly Hills Estate’s Rayni Williams proved particularly adept at guessing the correct agents, though she was occasionally drowned out by the good-natured ribbing of jokesters Aaron Kirman and Matt Altman.
—Hadley Meares, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025
Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 6 Jan. 2026
Yang’s mock competition with the actor Simu Liu, best known for being the first Asian star of a Marvel movie, poked fun at how goofy these milestones could sound, while also ribbing the expectations set by the model-minority stereotype.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ribbing
Adjective
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
This crewneck cardigan is one of the most timeless and versatile pieces on this list, with subtle ribbing and flared sleeves that add a bit of volume to the otherwise figure-skimming sweater.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 11 Nov. 2025
Noun
Still, the good-natured ribbing never let up.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2025
Beverly Hills Estate’s Rayni Williams proved particularly adept at guessing the correct agents, though she was occasionally drowned out by the good-natured ribbing of jokesters Aaron Kirman and Matt Altman.
—Hadley Meares, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
This snuggly knit is thick and cozy, complete with a rollneck design and beautiful ribbing around the sleeves, hem, and neck.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 6 Jan. 2026
Yang’s mock competition with the actor Simu Liu, best known for being the first Asian star of a Marvel movie, poked fun at how goofy these milestones could sound, while also ribbing the expectations set by the model-minority stereotype.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ribbing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ribbing
Noun
-
With a mocking appreciation for her overbearing family and caustic wit for her younger self, Yajia warmly works from the thesis that kids are extraordinarily weird, scary, and kind-of-dumb creatures who really don’t know any better.—
Brian Boone,
Vulture,
12 Dec. 2025
-
The movie has a brief mocking glimpse of MTV, just for a cheap laugh, when Springsteen is flipping channels between Badlands reruns.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Viewers see painful flashbacks throughout the show of classmates teasing Kelly about being overweight and daring her to drink urine.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
8 Jan. 2026
-
On Wednesday, Duff ramped up the anticipation for her new album, teasing a new song about dive bar hookups, inconvenient roommates, and a once-red-hot romance fizzling into the tombs of relationship graveyards.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
His razzing of The Problem With Jon Stewart was the best grace note on the piece.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
12 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Literally toxic lesbians — kidding.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 2025
-
Just kidding - but honestly not sold on him being the best player on a championship caliber team.—
The Athletic NBA Staff,
New York Times,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Turn around and make a lighthearted comment to the person behind you, maybe joking about the wait time, Simon-Thomas suggests.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Jennifer Lawrence and Emma Stone exchanged texts on the morning the Screen Actors Guild nominations were announced this week, joking about the outcome after Stone landed a nod and Lawrence did not.—
Anna Tingley,
Variety,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Past statements or e-mails can be taken out of context, with dangerous results, so carefully phrase your statements in board meetings or in e-mails, — and avoid intemperate or sarcastic remarks.—
Kelly G. Richardson,
Oc Register,
9 Jan. 2026
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It was greeted by the sound of loud, sarcastic cheering by the old London Road end and by Malcolm Shotton, Oxford’s moustachioed coach, who could have used the Pringles logo as a passport photo, throwing his jacket into the crowd in sarcastic celebration.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
3 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Boost Flavor in a Flash Tomato paste adds instant richness without thinning the dish.—
Anne Wolf,
Martha Stewart,
7 Jan. 2026
-
In a region defined by its sensory richness, including the smell of oak barrels, the colors of changing leaves, the taste of a perfectly aged Cabernet, the homes that harmonize with the surroundings become part of the landscape that surrounds them.—
Amplified Content Studio,
Mercury News,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The verbiage is full of great wordplay and wit, just like a Larry Hart song.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The timing was quick, the wordplay was clever, and kids picked up on more of it than adults probably realized.—
Alex Shoemaker,
Parents,
4 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ribbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ribbing. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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