ribbons 1 of 2

noun

plural of ribbon
as in strips
a long narrow piece of material tied a silk ribbon in her hair

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ribbons

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of ribbon
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
Noun
Bright pink ribbons now mark a construction path where willow and mesquite trees once stood. — Carlos Morales, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026 Ask for a neutral, dimensional mushroom blonde with blended roots and soft ribbons of beige and taupe. — Loren Savini, Allure, 14 Aug. 2026 Instead of folding the jam into the batter, it’s lightly swirled into the Bundt creating purple ribbons throughout each slice. — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2026 Each Fernie's Frozen Espresso-tini Bar is artfully drizzled with ribbons of chocolate shell coating, hardening into a delicate, crackable bite, making for the ultimate pick-me-up on a stick! — Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2026 At reuse centers, crafters can collect a few ribbons and fabric scraps instead of entire spools or bolts. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026 Then, either keep them whole for stuffing (gently pry open the flower to expose the cavity) or slice the blossom crosswise into thin ribbons (discarding the stem). — Riley Wofford, Martha Stewart, 3 Aug. 2026 Best known for her quick comedic timing and recent acting credit on HBO’s Hacks, the artist donned two red, white and blue prize ribbons atop a matching bikini top in the music video for her song Prettiest Girl in America. — Elizabeth Grace Coyne, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 The sky was alive with millions of fluttering shapes, congregating into clouds at random, occasionally turning into ribbons that wound through the trees. — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ribbons
  1. strips
  2. tears
  3. rips
  4. shreds
Noun
  • As somebody who has done reality TV before, what is your take on how House of Stassi strips down this fourth wall?
    — McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Another confounding detail surrounding Ge’s death is that when he was found, his hands and feet were bound, and bedsheet strips were tied around his chest, according to his autopsy report.
    — Connor Greene, Time, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of strips
Verb
  • In a sense, the proof shows that a world in which love never returns is a world whose geometry tears itself apart—assuming, of course, the proof holds up.
    — Sam Macdonald, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Instead of wiping firmware, an adversary nudges a setpoint, edits a protection parameter, distorts a sensor feed—or shows the operator a calm screen while the equipment tears itself apart.
    — Julian Durand, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of tears
Verb
  • The ambitious staging literally rips the fourth wall off a two-story house, giving a voyeuristic view into the kitchen, living room, bathroom and bedroom.
    — William Earl, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Pouring them straight into a trash bag could lead to a smelly mess if the bag rips and leaks.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of rips
Verb
  • Dupuis still shreds on 1331, but her guitar takes a supporting role this time, churning along with the industrial percussion that powers the catchy but often chorusless tracks.
    — Grace Robins-Somerville, Pitchfork, 14 July 2026
  • Keanu Reeves shreds on stage alongside his band, Dogstar, at the Tons of Rock festival in Oslo on June 26.
    — Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026
Definition of shreds

Browse Nearby Words

ribboning
ribbons
ribs
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Cite this Entry

“Ribbons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ribbons. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ribbons

Nglish: Translation of ribbons for Spanish Speakers

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