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
Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 8 Jan. 2026
The Seven Mile Bridge unspools ahead of me, a ribbon of asphalt suspended between sea and sky.
—Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2026
Vivian Yee, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Oct. 2022
As the road began to ribbon up and around the southern slope of the mountain, everything subtly shifted.
—Maria Shollenbarger, Travel + Leisure, 20 June 2022
See All Example Sentences for ribbon
Noun
To hang, use three pieces of ribbon.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 8 Jan. 2026
The Seven Mile Bridge unspools ahead of me, a ribbon of asphalt suspended between sea and sky.
—Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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
As the road began to ribbon up and around the southern slope of the mountain, everything subtly shifted.
—Maria Shollenbarger, Travel + Leisure, 20 June 2022
See All Example Sentences for ribbon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ribbon
Noun
-
His brand, Wizard Wellness, launches Thursday on its website with sinus rinses, nasal sprays, nasal sticks and oral strips, plus bundles around routines with each.—
James Manso,
Footwear News,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Ah, the nostalgic nineties, that notorious decade that's now being strip-mined for its influential music, funky fashion, dance moves, comics, movies, and television.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Kim tore her labrum in early January but has been cleared to compete in Livigno.—
Michelle Bruton,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Very heavy ice can potentially tear the gutters off your house.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
His tent is coming apart at the seams after a December snowstorm ripped through the fabric.—
Ginny Monk,
Hartford Courant,
27 Jan. 2026
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Classrooms were lost and routines were shattered when flames ripped through thousands of homes and buildings.—
Amanda Starrantino,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ribbon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ribbon. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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