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
Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2026
Because this isn’t just another ribbon-cutting.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 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
Many wore orange and green ribbons around their necks, Metayer’s favorite colors.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2026
Because this isn’t just another ribbon-cutting.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 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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Fuqua even shot an entire action sequence recreating the infamous 1993 raid on Neverland Ranch, which culminated in police officers strip-searching Jackson and examining his genitals to compare them with Chandler’s description.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
23 Apr. 2026
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Popular items include chicken tikka masala, orange chicken with broccoli and chicken strips, along with sides like macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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On the Sonora stage Sunday, the 22-year-old Newark rapper-producer who arrived at the current screaming catharsis via a circuit of molting SoundCloud-era microgenres was at once dangerously commanding and euphoric while tearing through highlights from last year’s Revengeseekerz.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
21 Apr. 2026
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If a young tree contains lots of tents, just tear the silk open periodically with a stick to give birds, wasps, and other garden helpers easier access to the caterpillars.—
Miri Talabac,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Experts were on the ground about 15 minutes later to confirm the reports and found trees ripped from their root systems and a barn with its roof freshly torn off.—
Joseph Serna,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
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His choreography, recreated from his work on the show, delivers big, bold, classic Broadway dance sequences that feel ripped from another era in the best way.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ribbon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ribbon. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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