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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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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
Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2025
The length has been shortened to create a boxy silhouette and the ribbing at the hem was adjusted for a stronger tension.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2025
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 16 Jan. 2026
In addition to gentle ribbing, the coat also captivated commenters.
—Perrie Samotin, Glamour, 14 Jan. 2026
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
Esiason's ribbing comes after a recent lighthearted back-and-forth between Waldman and Dave Sims, the play-by-play voice of the Bronx Bombers.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2025
The length has been shortened to create a boxy silhouette and the ribbing at the hem was adjusted for a stronger tension.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
Even Maye has gotten in on the fun, according to Pats quarterbacks coach Ashton Grant, who says he’s been ribbing Josh in meetings.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 16 Jan. 2026
In addition to gentle ribbing, the coat also captivated commenters.
—Perrie Samotin, Glamour, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ribbing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ribbing
Noun
-
In his verse, Bad Bunny directly addresses the chats, calling attention to Rosselló’s mocking of the dead from Hurricane María and his rampant homophobia.—
Julyssa Lopez,
Rolling Stone,
26 Jan. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
OpenAI has been teasing the introduction of ads for weeks.—
Jared Perlo,
NBC news,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Dunkin' has been teasing the Big Game ad for some time.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Feb. 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
-
On Monday, eternal troll 50 Cent leaned into the breakup chatter on Instagram, joking that Diggs lost both the Super Bowl and his girlfriend.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The two began to argue over each other, as Bessent said the president was joking.—
Fatima Hussein,
Fortune,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Tom Lester played Eb Dawson, the Douglases' sarcastic young farmhand.—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
25 Jan. 2026
-
The worse things are going, the more bitter and sarcastic my humor sometimes gets.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Scallions also work nicely for a beautiful pop of green that cuts through some of the richness of the eggs.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
7 Feb. 2026
-
This Black History Month, Milwaukee institutions, organizations, and artists are finding immersive and inventive ways to connect audiences with the richness of Black history and culture.—
Anya Sesay,
jsonline.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Layered within the show’s heartfelt humor is also sophisticated wordplay and cultural references.—
Liz Regalia,
Parents,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The wordplay about fire and ice and ICE is cheap.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ribbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ribbing. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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