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
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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
Ben Watanabe, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
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
Melony Forcier, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
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
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
His coaches, Roy Hallenbeck and Ken Williams, subjected him to the same ribbing as every other player, even teasing him about his preference for wearing the same size too-small jersey for all four years, so that by senior year his biceps stretched the sleeves to their limit.
—Ben Watanabe, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
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
Verb
The pullover features outer seam detailing along the arms for a playful touch and ribbing on the neckline and wrist cuffs that adds dimension.
—Melony Forcier, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
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
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
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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
-
Ahead of the release of Morally Gray, Quinn’s social media have been teasing the actor’s upcoming narration with one clip of him notably tapping his wrist, something his Tell Me Lies character did to Grace Van Patten’s Lucy to help reduce her anxiety and calming the nervous system.—
Lexy Perez,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Feb. 2026
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Here, Ryan breaks down the ending of the show’s latest chapter, sharing the thinking behind a few key plotlines, and teasing a small detail about Season 4, which is currently being written.—
Jake Kring-Schreifels,
Time,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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His razzing of The Problem With Jon Stewart was the best grace note on the piece.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
12 Dec. 2025
Verb
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There are also cool maps on the local prevalence of certain health conditions, from arthritis and asthma to cancer and high cholesterol to diabetes and depression to — not kidding here — where people have lost all their teeth.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
11 Feb. 2026
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Literally toxic lesbians — kidding.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Journalists related stories to Brown of the future princess giving them the slip, joking with them, managing her media relations so she wouldn’t be overexposed or maligned.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
23 Feb. 2026
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Aside from the 43rd president’s penchant for surfacing mostly for official events — joking in an affectionate and hilarious manner with Michelle Obama — Bush’s taciturn post-presidency cuts a striking contrast with the two men who bracketed his tenure.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But pull her away from the TV cameras, photographers and the prying eyes of the world, and her sarcastic-bordering-on-vulgar sense of humor bubbles to the surface.—
Dave Skretta,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
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Liu asked with a sarcastic scoff and giggle.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The sheer richness of the fashion, meanwhile, compels viewers to step up closely to admire the artistry of the stitches and richness of the embroideries, and that’s precisely the point, because ultimately this is a celebration of the art of Italian handcraft.—
Laurie Brookins,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Feb. 2026
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But the pie's richness comes from the crème fraîche, whipping cream, whole-grain mustard, and fresh thyme.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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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 26 Feb. 2026.
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