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
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Recent Examples of ribbons
Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2025
Each textured toy is perfectly sized for little hands to explore their tactile surfaces, adorned with ribbons and crinkly fabrics.
—Pamela Brill, Parents, 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
What started as a small collaboration grew into a global movement, now marked each year by millions who wear pink ribbons, participate in walks, and push for advances in research and early detection.
—Dr. Noor Shaik, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2025
Take a look at your holiday gift wrap, gift bags, bows, and ribbons.
—Amy Panos, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025
There are discussion questions included at the end of the book to help guide readers through some of the more difficult topics, and the purple color scheme on the front cover is a nod to the purple ribbons used to promote awareness of domestic violence and signify the courage of survivors.
—Stephanie Decarolis, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
Thick ribbons crisscrossed around the ankle and tied in a bow at the back, bringing in the ballet influence.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
Everyone will be frustrated by how preventable those goals were, but Bournemouth can be added to the list of visitors unable to cut Leeds to ribbons from open play on their own patch.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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
Each textured toy is perfectly sized for little hands to explore their tactile surfaces, adorned with ribbons and crinkly fabrics.
—Pamela Brill, Parents, 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
What started as a small collaboration grew into a global movement, now marked each year by millions who wear pink ribbons, participate in walks, and push for advances in research and early detection.
—Dr. Noor Shaik, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2025
Take a look at your holiday gift wrap, gift bags, bows, and ribbons.
—Amy Panos, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025
There are discussion questions included at the end of the book to help guide readers through some of the more difficult topics, and the purple color scheme on the front cover is a nod to the purple ribbons used to promote awareness of domestic violence and signify the courage of survivors.
—Stephanie Decarolis, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
Thick ribbons crisscrossed around the ankle and tied in a bow at the back, bringing in the ballet influence.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
Everyone will be frustrated by how preventable those goals were, but Bournemouth can be added to the list of visitors unable to cut Leeds to ribbons from open play on their own patch.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ribbons
Noun
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Meanwhile, the operations supervisor in the tower was focused on trying to fix a printer which prints strips of paper with flight information and had jammed.—
Aaron Cooper,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
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Along with its main collection that included the introduction of the new Maro geometric bag with loose napa leather strips knotted on the sides, Serapian displayed iterations of its iconic styles revisited by British designer Bethan Laura Wood.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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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
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Schumer rips Trump on a near-daily basis on the Senate floor, accusing the president of being a wannabe dictator and serial liar who puts his own interests and even Russian President Vladimir Putin’s interests ahead of what’s best for the United States.—
Alexander Bolton,
The Hill,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Extreme weather at the poles stresses crucial moss and lichen, and shreds entire habitats in hours.—
Marion Renault,
The Atlantic,
29 Sep. 2025
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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 6 Oct. 2025.
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