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
Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Feb. 2026
Expect waist-cinching corsets and ribbons galore, flourished with hair spirals and constellation face gems.
—Alice Cary, Vogue, 24 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, the tribute to Nancy Guthrie outside her home keeps growing, with flowers, yellow ribbons, crosses, prayers and patron saints for older adults and in desperate situations.
—Jacques Billeaud, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
Never anything red or yellow, as those are the colors of the second- and third-place ribbons.
—Andrew Norman Wilson, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
The rotation spreads it thin, and ultimately produces amorphous ribbons.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 23 Feb. 2026
Too many competing elements, like flags, plaques, or seasonal ribbons distract from the home.
—Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 22 Feb. 2026
Olympic medals weren’t designed to be worn around the neck until 1960, when a laurel-leaf chain was introduced in Rome, and subsequently ribbons became standard.
—Eric Sullivan, Scientific American, 21 Feb. 2026
One of Nancy’s neighbors, Laura Gargano, told People that the community decided to add yellow ribbons to trees and mailboxes to signal they too were still hopeful.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
Last week, cohosts Kotb, Melvin, Carson Daly, and Al Roker all wore yellow ribbons, adopting the practice of Nancy's neighbors in her Catalina Foothills neighborhood of Tucson.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Feb. 2026
Expect waist-cinching corsets and ribbons galore, flourished with hair spirals and constellation face gems.
—Alice Cary, Vogue, 24 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, the tribute to Nancy Guthrie outside her home keeps growing, with flowers, yellow ribbons, crosses, prayers and patron saints for older adults and in desperate situations.
—Jacques Billeaud, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
Never anything red or yellow, as those are the colors of the second- and third-place ribbons.
—Andrew Norman Wilson, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
The rotation spreads it thin, and ultimately produces amorphous ribbons.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 23 Feb. 2026
Too many competing elements, like flags, plaques, or seasonal ribbons distract from the home.
—Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 22 Feb. 2026
Olympic medals weren’t designed to be worn around the neck until 1960, when a laurel-leaf chain was introduced in Rome, and subsequently ribbons became standard.
—Eric Sullivan, Scientific American, 21 Feb. 2026
One of Nancy’s neighbors, Laura Gargano, told People that the community decided to add yellow ribbons to trees and mailboxes to signal they too were still hopeful.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ribbons
Noun
-
Fennell’s screenplay strips out the story-within-a-story structure, sidelines major characters, and simplifies the multi-generational plot—all regular book adaptation stuff.—
Anna Gaca,
Pitchfork,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Attached to the bottom of their skis are skins — essentially strips of grippy carpet — that keep them from sliding backwards.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Under her watch, Americans have been murdered in cold blood, DHS has obstructed lawful congressional oversight, dismissed credible reports of abuse, carried out an extreme agenda that tears families apart and destabilizes communities.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Catherine uplifted us in a world that often tears us down.—
Andrew Gelwicks,
Vogue,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Continue reading … LATE-NIGHT HOAX — FCC chair rips media for promoting claim CBS blocked Colbert-Talarico interview.—
,
FOXNews.com,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Seguin rips Burleson, remains fourth in 8-5A Zoderick Green paced Arlington Seguin with 17 points as the Cougars held on to fourth place in District 8-5A with a 69-42 win over Burleson.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Food Processor quickly chops, slices and shreds a wide array of ingredients for unlimited culinary creations while the Coffee & Spice Grinder efficiently grinds coffee beans, spices and herbs for superior flavor and potency.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
In competition, Kim shreds with a glowing confidence.—
Aaron Tolentino,
New York Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ribbons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ribbons. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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