as in to tear
to cause (something) to separate into jagged pieces by violently pulling at it
over the years the historic flag had become badly ribboned by the wind
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ribbon
Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
Maggie Daley Park Chicago The quarter-mile outdoor skating ribbon in Maggie Daley Park—with 27,500 feet of ice surface—is a looping path with slight elevation changes that curves past pine trees, a rock climbing wall, and a gorgeous city view.
—Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Midwest Living, 4 Jan. 2026
Savanna Bous, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Nov. 2022
To make way for the new highways that ribbon through Cairo, leading to the new city, builders razed vast patches of trees in the elegant old neighborhood of Heliopolis.
—Vivian Yee, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Oct. 2022
See All Example Sentences for ribbon
Noun
When the Gaylord Pacific Resort and Convention Center opened in May, Mayor John McCann saw more than just Marriott’s largest property cutting ribbons on the city’s bayfront.
—Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
Maggie Daley Park Chicago The quarter-mile outdoor skating ribbon in Maggie Daley Park—with 27,500 feet of ice surface—is a looping path with slight elevation changes that curves past pine trees, a rock climbing wall, and a gorgeous city view.
—Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Midwest Living, 4 Jan. 2026
Verb
Introduce the color in small doses: a throw on the couch, ribbon on a wreath, trim around a lampshade, or even gift wrap on the packages.
—Savanna Bous, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Nov. 2022
To make way for the new highways that ribbon through Cairo, leading to the new city, builders razed vast patches of trees in the elegant old neighborhood of Heliopolis.
—Vivian Yee, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Oct. 2022
See All Example Sentences for ribbon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ribbon
Noun
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Winter showcases the exfoliating bark, which peels away to reveal strips of gray, orange, and brick red.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
9 Nov. 2025
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About 30 or so customers occupied the wooden stools of the old-school, salty hangout in an industrial strip a few miles from downtown Louisville.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Suddenly, there’s dozens of supervillains tearing the place (and each other) apart.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
7 Nov. 2025
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The shots tore Lee’s face apart.—
Equal Justice Initiative,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Midway through the third quarter, true freshman linebacker Mason Posa, buried on the depth chart just weeks ago, ripped the ball loose at Washington’s 7-yard line and fell on it himself.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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This is ripped from the news, our dark timeline.—
Andy Hoglund,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ribbon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ribbon. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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