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
Carlos Morales, NPR, 1 July 2025
Heat domes are usually affected by the behavior of the jet stream, a ribbon of fast-moving air high in the atmosphere that flows from west to east in the Northern Hemisphere and affects weather systems.
—Denise Chow, NBC news, 26 June 2025
Maria Shollenbarger, Travel + Leisure, 20 June 2022
The Hoover Dam went from legislation to ribbon cutting in eight years.
—The Editorial Board, WSJ, 16 June 2022
See All Example Sentences for ribbon
Noun
The reserve is a 15,000 square mile stretch over the entire Big Bend area and a ribbon of northern Mexico – an area larger than Massachusetts.
—Carlos Morales, NPR, 1 July 2025
Heat domes are usually affected by the behavior of the jet stream, a ribbon of fast-moving air high in the atmosphere that flows from west to east in the Northern Hemisphere and affects weather systems.
—Denise Chow, NBC news, 26 June 2025
Verb
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
The Hoover Dam went from legislation to ribbon cutting in eight years.
—The Editorial Board, WSJ, 16 June 2022
See All Example Sentences for ribbon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ribbon
Noun
-
Options include aluminum strips, shiny streamers, and old CDs.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
7 July 2025
-
Use soft ties like twine or Velcro strips to secure the stem to the stake.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 July 2025
Verb
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Governor Phil Murphy responded Thursday night to a deadly line of severe thunderstorms that tore through Central New Jersey, killing three people and leaving tens of thousands without power.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 July 2025
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The bodies of the doctor, his wife, daughter and son-in-law, arrived at Shifa Hospital torn into pieces, according to Issam Nabhan, head of the nursing department at the Indonesian Hospital.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
3 July 2025
Verb
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And, Roman says, a vital support system was ripped away: public services.—
Meg Anderson,
NPR,
30 June 2025
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Meanwhile, boats all along the southwest shore were being swamped or ripped from their moorings and piling up on rocks or beaches, often crashing into other vessels.—
George Skelton,
Los Angeles Times,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ribbon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ribbon. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
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