ribbing 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of ribbingnext
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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ribbing

2 of 3

noun

as in mocking

Related Words

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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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
The ribbing, a feature fishermen look for, also traps more air to retain body heat. — Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 8 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
Verb
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 Sweet, awkward Hulda (Isolde Ardies) is often the target of her ribbing. — Judy Berman, Time, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ribbing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ribbing
  1. sarcastic
  2. mocking
  3. teasing
  4. razzing
  5. kidding
  6. fooling
  7. joking
  8. richness
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, Rogen and Nanjiani manage to steal multiple scenes as the voices of the ladies’ cats Dio and GG, two sarcastic felines who are fed up with their burnout owners.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2026
  • This was Perez Hilton, after all, a man who had earned fame in the mid-two-thousands for his salacious, sarcastic, and often sadistic coverage of celebrity suffering.
    — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of sarcastic
Noun
  • Paul’s confidence was growing, and the left tackle seemingly responded to his challengers by laughing at their efforts in a mocking manner.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 26 June 2026
  • 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
Definition of mocking
Verb
  • Saturday Night Live breakout Bowen Yang opens the evening by teasing Chen about his dating life.
    — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2026
  • In the video, Bunnia was shown a poster of Travis in her hospital room as a teasing preview of the singer's appearance.
    — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of teasing
Noun
  • Fans of both teams traded chants and lighthearted razzing as their light-rail train neared the stadium.
    — Gabriel Sama, Mercury News, 1 July 2026
  • Fans of both have had to endure constant razzing for underperforming on the big stage.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026
Definition of razzing
Verb
  • But Guthrie wasn’t kidding, slipping into a yellow gingham dress before joining her co-hosts on the Today Show Plaza to greet visitors.
    — Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
  • Just kidding, but seeing Angela’s team sweep Shamea’s at the Bailey Bowl basketball tournament was almost as satisfying as knowing Charles got to witness his former team’s historic win in person.
    — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 22 June 2026
Definition of kidding
Noun
  • No fooling, April brings some pretty interesting surprises on Netflix.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of fooling
Verb
  • The three were smiling and joking, seemingly unaware of any impending attack, the images indicate.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The au naturel prix-fixes ignited controversy the moment the restaurant’s flyer started circulating on social media in late June, with most chatter ranging from joking to serious, bawdy to scandalized.
    — Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of joking
Noun
  • That substance shows up in the little things that elevate a big house into a memorable one — intricate millwork, triple crown molding and custom touches that give the home a cohesive, old-world richness rather than a patchwork of trends.
    — David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Our homemade harissa aioli brings the kick, the pickles and sumac onion cut the richness, and the roasted tomato and cabbage slaw keep everything bright.
    — Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of richness

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ribbers
ribbing
ribbon
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Cite this Entry

“Ribbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ribbing. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of ribbing for Spanish Speakers

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