as in tears
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ribbons
Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2025
Standing nearby was Orly Eshet, who has been a volunteer at the site since shortly after the Hamas attacks, handing out yellow ribbons and collecting donations for the hostages’ relatives.
—Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2025
To recreate this craft from The Craft Patch, take a pack of wooden spoons, decorative tape, construction paper, ribbons, string, and markers and create your very own witch spoons.
—Ellen Sturm Niz, Parents, 8 Oct. 2025
The most thrilling example is a high-speed freeway chase (brilliantly shot by Jeff Cronenweth), with Eve on a motorcycle pursued by Athena and Ares on light cycles trailing ribbons of red laser in their wake.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025
Decorate with ribbons, tiaras, stencils, paint pens, and more.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2025
After last night’s full harvest moon glow, the cosmos is putting on another show; this time upping the odds of dazzling ribbons of green, purple and red, dancing across the velvet night.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
Check out our top holiday decor picks below, with everything from tartan table settings to gingham ornaments and ribbons for your Christmas tree.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2025
Streamers or ribbons, regardless of length, hanging from any part of the uniform are prohibited.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
The 1950s and 1960s would prove to be the start of the glory days of the luxury coupe in America, with the nation’s economy growing as fast as the ribbons of brand-new interstate being paved from sea to shining sea.
—Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2025
Standing nearby was Orly Eshet, who has been a volunteer at the site since shortly after the Hamas attacks, handing out yellow ribbons and collecting donations for the hostages’ relatives.
—Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2025
To recreate this craft from The Craft Patch, take a pack of wooden spoons, decorative tape, construction paper, ribbons, string, and markers and create your very own witch spoons.
—Ellen Sturm Niz, Parents, 8 Oct. 2025
The most thrilling example is a high-speed freeway chase (brilliantly shot by Jeff Cronenweth), with Eve on a motorcycle pursued by Athena and Ares on light cycles trailing ribbons of red laser in their wake.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025
Decorate with ribbons, tiaras, stencils, paint pens, and more.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2025
After last night’s full harvest moon glow, the cosmos is putting on another show; this time upping the odds of dazzling ribbons of green, purple and red, dancing across the velvet night.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
Check out our top holiday decor picks below, with everything from tartan table settings to gingham ornaments and ribbons for your Christmas tree.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2025
Streamers or ribbons, regardless of length, hanging from any part of the uniform are prohibited.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ribbons
Noun
-
The final slide in the sweet post showed several strips of black-and-white snaps taken in the booth alongside a positive pregnancy test.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Health and beauty Pamper yourself with foot spas, whitening strips and other health and beauty essentials.—
Nora Colomer
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Achilles tears that the Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers suffered during the 2025 playoffs have made the race for the conference wide open this coming season.—
Robert Marvi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
-
In this kind of system, scientists theorize that the black hole tears the neutron star apart before swallowing it, which releases electromagnetic waves.—
Chad Hanna,
The Conversation,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
As several women listen intently, Belushi, donning a toga, rips the guitar out of Bishop's hands and smashes it into a wall.—
Mark Gray,
PEOPLE,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Advertisement Never one to give up, Arisu rips a piece of the grid room’s floor from its moorings and uses it to smash into the screen wall separating him from the outside.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Extreme weather at the poles stresses crucial moss and lichen, and shreds entire habitats in hours.—
Marion Renault,
The Atlantic,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Trump, by contrast, shreds regular procedures, shrugs off the expertise needed to bring policies to life, and promotes administrative incompetence in order to eliminate any authority other than himself.—
Russell Muirhead,
Foreign Affairs,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ribbons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ribbons. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share