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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of ribbing
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
Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 10 Feb. 2026
But it’s also taken a ribbing for recalls, which have been mounting rapidly.
—Andrea Guzmán, Austin American Statesman, 14 Jan. 2026
Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 6 Apr. 2026
Not exactly a denial by Lux, who appeared to not take the ribbing too seriously.
—Sam Blum, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for 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
The friendly ribbing is rooted in respect.
—Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 10 Feb. 2026
But it’s also taken a ribbing for recalls, which have been mounting rapidly.
—Andrea Guzmán, Austin American Statesman, 14 Jan. 2026
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 Apr. 2026
Not exactly a denial by Lux, who appeared to not take the ribbing too seriously.
—Sam Blum, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ribbing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ribbing
Adjective
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When asked to divulge what his tactics would be against the powerful Swiss team in Saturday’s World Cup opener for the two nations, Lopetegui couldn’t help but unleash a sarcastic but realistic response.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
13 June 2026
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When the 10th batter (Dalton Rushing) struck out for the first out of the inning, the diminished number of Pirates fans still on hand gave a sarcastic cheer for their team’s stick-to-itiveness.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
Noun
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Arteta and his Arsenal squad have, of course, downplayed the noise around the club this season, arguing that the widespread mocking doesn’t impact the inner sanctum of the team.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2026
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Afroman celebrated his legal victory in a video on Wednesday after winning a defamation lawsuit filed by several Ohio sheriff's deputies who accused the rapper of mocking and allegedly lying about them in music videos, following a 2022 raid on his home.—
Angeline Jane Bernabe,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Further, Smith has spent the past nine months teasing a potential run for the White House.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 June 2026
-
Interest in the company has been high for years, with Musk teasing an IPO along the way.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
8 June 2026
Noun
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Moss-Bachrach runs through a lot of emotions countering Bernthal here, cycling Richie through jokey acceptance of Mikey’s razzing, some light teasing of his own, and glimpses of uncertainty.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
5 May 2026
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Ernie was given to fun-loving razzing of others in the locker room.—
Ron Mix,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The connection to nature at Vista Celestial is truly profound, with wildlife waiting for you at the door—I'm not kidding, at one point, a capuchin monkey walked onto our patio to say hello.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
8 June 2026
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And even while kidding, Kupp couldn’t help but say out loud what many Rams followers are thinking.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Noun
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No fooling, April brings some pretty interesting surprises on Netflix.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Last year, a seventeen-year-old boy in New Jersey allegedly drove his car into two teen-age girls, killing them both, after joking on a live stream about women getting raped by Tate.—
Heidi Blake,
New Yorker,
8 June 2026
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Burke wasn’t joking, and quickly whisked Shimada up into a whirlwind of preparation on trying to sell Boise to the visiting entourage that included Japanese FA Director Naoki Tsumura.—
Shaun Goodwin
June 8,
Idaho Statesman,
8 June 2026
Noun
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The color combination feels subtle and soft but also brings depth and richness thanks to the layering of neutral tones.—
Lauren Jones,
The Spruce,
6 June 2026
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In fact, a good steak often needs little more than salt to enhance its natural richness.—
Laura Manzano,
Martha Stewart,
5 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ribbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ribbing. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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