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
Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026
The ceremonial ribbon skirts, worn by mourners at the funeral of 14-year-old McKenna Rose Wendel, were a shiny pink and purple, McKenna’s favorite colors.
—Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 26 Mar. 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 his mind’s eye, the 68-year-old former rancher sees a meadow that once rippled with ribbons of grass, on which black Brangus cows feasted but are here no more.
—Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026
The ceremonial ribbon skirts, worn by mourners at the funeral of 14-year-old McKenna Rose Wendel, were a shiny pink and purple, McKenna’s favorite colors.
—Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 26 Mar. 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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Allergies, congestion and structural issues are all addressable with medication, saline sprays, nasal strips or an ENT evaluation.—
Allison Palmer,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2026
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That waxy layer on leaves is a natural defense mechanism for plants — and dish soap strips it away, giving the vinegar or other active ingredients direct access to do their work.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Carefully peel away parchment from bottom of cake (start from a long side where it might be embedded in the cake and pull gently to avoid tearing the cake); discard.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 Apr. 2026
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Trump posted footage of the strike on Truth Social, in an uncaptioned video that shows explosions tearing through the night sky.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Those big waves, spurred by new variants and subvariants that ripped through the state from 2020 to 2022, are no longer as concerning.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2026
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On-screen, the emergencies are larger than life with firenadoes, dangling trailers and Murphy-bed mishaps ripped from real headlines.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ribbon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ribbon. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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