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
Idaho Statesman, 1 June 2026
The first course was a tumble of fresh vegetables, ribbons of zucchini plus Romano beans, sweet peppers and radish from Fireclay Farm, tossed in a delicate bagna cauda dressing.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 22 May 2026
Laura Garcia, whose 7-year-old Cardigan Welsh corgi, Garth, is a slow, methodical hunter, took home four ribbons this year.
—Ross Mantle, New York Times, 21 May 2026
Add all those beautiful, smoky cabbage ribbons to a big bowl.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
After all, auroral activity can fluctuate quickly, sometimes appearing as a faint glow before suddenly erupting into visible ribbons or waves of green light.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
Most people just come for the sunshine, endless ribbons of coastal roads and breathtaking scenery.
—Jennifer Leigh Parker, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Then came the color — vibrant ribbons of red slowly painting the cosmos across my screen.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 15 May 2026
Known for creating ribbons of colorful light in the night sky, the aurora borealis are polar lights, or aurora polaris, that appear in the Northern Hemisphere.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Noun
So on April 8, Hall filed a request with the city of Boise asking to hold an event at McAuley Park on June 1 and June 30, along with a temporary monthlong display of rainbow flags and ribbons along Harrison.
—Idaho Statesman, 1 June 2026
The first course was a tumble of fresh vegetables, ribbons of zucchini plus Romano beans, sweet peppers and radish from Fireclay Farm, tossed in a delicate bagna cauda dressing.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 22 May 2026
Laura Garcia, whose 7-year-old Cardigan Welsh corgi, Garth, is a slow, methodical hunter, took home four ribbons this year.
—Ross Mantle, New York Times, 21 May 2026
Add all those beautiful, smoky cabbage ribbons to a big bowl.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
After all, auroral activity can fluctuate quickly, sometimes appearing as a faint glow before suddenly erupting into visible ribbons or waves of green light.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
Most people just come for the sunshine, endless ribbons of coastal roads and breathtaking scenery.
—Jennifer Leigh Parker, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Then came the color — vibrant ribbons of red slowly painting the cosmos across my screen.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 15 May 2026
Known for creating ribbons of colorful light in the night sky, the aurora borealis are polar lights, or aurora polaris, that appear in the Northern Hemisphere.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ribbons
Noun
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The nylon fabric panels are sewed together with strips of Kevlar.—
Pat Maio,
Oc Register,
29 May 2026
-
Nuriev’s miniature poodle Mishka perked up when chefs began feeding strips of raw duck into a big industrial grinder.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
29 May 2026
Verb
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If any of those are missing on the platform side, the acquisition will find the gap and pull on it until something tears.—
Louis Mosca,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
-
The Un Certain Regard best actor award went to Bradley Fiomona Dembeasset for his turn in Rafiki Fariala’s Congo Boy, playing a teen talent in the Central African Republic who dreams of a career in music as a civil war tears his country apart.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
Pollinator-friendly plants are clustered across the large property, a hedge against the next storm that rips away the canopy.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
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Over eight episodes, the first season of Nemesis rips through more fiery events and story than most shows could in a multi-year run.—
Derek Lawrence,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2026
Verb
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The Suretivian Shredder Tool quickly and efficiently shreds chicken, pork, and other meats, earning nearly 20,000 five-star ratings.—
Rebecca Jones,
Southern Living,
23 May 2026
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Meanwhile, male athletes get ripped to shreds 24/7 on television, radio, podcasts and social media without anyone questioning whether the existence of criticism itself is harmful to the sport.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ribbons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ribbons. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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