Synonyms of ribbing

ribbing 1 of 3

adjective

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

• joking
• razzing
• bantering
• sarcastic
• kidding
• joshing
• mocking
• quizzical
• jesting
• rallying
• fooling
• chaffing
• funning
• ridiculing
• heckling
• needling
• derisive
• taunting
• baiting
• jeering
• scornful
• quipping
• contemptuous
• bandying
• derisory
• deriding
• hassling
• disdainful

ribbing

2 of 3

noun

as in mocking

Related Words

• mocking
• razzing
• kidding
• fooling
• richness
• facetiousness
• ridiculing
• wordplay
• humor
• barb
• joke
• witticism
• wit
• drollness
• funniness
• laugh
• wisecrack
• banter
• humorousness
• hilariousness
• gag
• quip
• pleasantry
• gambit
• raillery
• jest
• badinage
• jesting
• dig
• sally
• repartee
• nothings
• persiflage
• crack
• give-and-take
• chatter
• joshing
• chaff
• small talk
• chitchat
• waggery
• gossip
• backchat

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

• teasing
• kidding
• joking
• razzing
• roasting
• joshing
• chaffing
• bantering
• jiving
• riding
• rallying
• goofing on
• taking the mickey out of
• jesting
• funning
• wisecracking
• fooling
• jollying
• quipping
• stringing along
• yukking
• japing
• gagging

Example Sentences

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

Sweet, awkward Hulda (Isolde Ardies) is often the target of her ribbing. — Judy Berman, Time, 8 Apr. 2026

In real life, Miller takes the ribbing well, happy to be his friend’s fall guy for the purposes of narrative structure. — Jack Crosbie, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2026