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
Kyle Werner, Des Moines Register, 14 Feb. 2026
Pops of yellow flowers and ribbons dot the desert neighborhood as a message of hope for the family.
—Liz Kreutz, NBC news, 13 Feb. 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
In another tribute posted on social media, the Iowa State softball team donned blue and yellow hair ribbons during a game Friday.
—Kyle Werner, Des Moines Register, 14 Feb. 2026
Pops of yellow flowers and ribbons dot the desert neighborhood as a message of hope for the family.
—Liz Kreutz, NBC news, 13 Feb. 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
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Sierra Leone's capital is tucked on a strip of land between the national park and the Atlantic.—
ED DAVEY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
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Attached to the bottom of their skis are skins — essentially strips of grippy carpet — that keep them from sliding backwards.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Three women who could be tearing each other apart in the most high-stakes competition on the planet are instead choosing friendship, choosing joy, choosing to have fun with it.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
17 Feb. 2026
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They’ve been married for 19 years, after all, and when Amanda calls the police and introduces authorities into the situation, the couple is suddenly torn asunder.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The stock ripped higher from April 2025 through August 2025, gaining nearly 120% over that stretch.—
Frank Cappelleri,
CNBC,
18 Feb. 2026
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Instead, Manso ripped the ball away from a player nearly a foot taller than him and scored on a putback.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ribbon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ribbon. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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