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
Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 8 Nov. 2025
In the third quarter next year, Bal Harbour Shops will cut the ribbon on a major retail expansion that’s been long in the making.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2025
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
Sacramento City Councilmember Karina Talamantes came to the rink on Thursday for a ribbon-cutting for the season.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 8 Nov. 2025
In the third quarter next year, Bal Harbour Shops will cut the ribbon on a major retail expansion that’s been long in the making.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2025
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
-
Winter showcases the exfoliating bark, which peels away to reveal strips of gray, orange, and brick red.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
9 Nov. 2025
-
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
-
Suddenly, there’s dozens of supervillains tearing the place (and each other) apart.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
7 Nov. 2025
-
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 13 Nov. 2025.
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