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
Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 4 Feb. 2026
As the continents sheared and twisted unevenly, local forces squeezed together thin ribbons of crust and popped them up like geological meerkats, isolating and slicing them off.
—Evan Howell, Scientific American, 4 Feb. 2026
The luminous snap peas and ribbons of radish and carrot had just as much ethereal beauty as any glacé pear or citron.
—Hannah Walhout, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Feb. 2026
Penny not only gets a trophy, ribbons, and bragging rights but, this year, the distinction of winning the milestone 150th annual Westminster show.
—Jennifer Peltz, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
Rita Hazan gave me beautiful highlights a couple of weeks before the wedding and reception, which would be outdoors and hopefully feature plenty of sun to bounce off those ribbons of gold.
—Jesa Marie Calaor, Allure, 31 Jan. 2026
Outside, victims and supporters wept, hugged and wore yellow ribbons.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Her centerpiece came via a leather mididress with a mockneck, long sleeves with decorative ribbons hanging off the hems, and a column skirt.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 30 Jan. 2026
For more than two years, Israelis pinned yellow ribbons to their lapels and gathered to remember the hostages abducted during the deadliest day in the country’s history.
—Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
Silky pink ribbons were tied with a bow around the red thigh-high tights.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 4 Feb. 2026
As the continents sheared and twisted unevenly, local forces squeezed together thin ribbons of crust and popped them up like geological meerkats, isolating and slicing them off.
—Evan Howell, Scientific American, 4 Feb. 2026
The luminous snap peas and ribbons of radish and carrot had just as much ethereal beauty as any glacé pear or citron.
—Hannah Walhout, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Feb. 2026
Penny not only gets a trophy, ribbons, and bragging rights but, this year, the distinction of winning the milestone 150th annual Westminster show.
—Jennifer Peltz, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
Rita Hazan gave me beautiful highlights a couple of weeks before the wedding and reception, which would be outdoors and hopefully feature plenty of sun to bounce off those ribbons of gold.
—Jesa Marie Calaor, Allure, 31 Jan. 2026
Outside, victims and supporters wept, hugged and wore yellow ribbons.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Her centerpiece came via a leather mididress with a mockneck, long sleeves with decorative ribbons hanging off the hems, and a column skirt.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 30 Jan. 2026
For more than two years, Israelis pinned yellow ribbons to their lapels and gathered to remember the hostages abducted during the deadliest day in the country’s history.
—Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ribbons
Noun
-
Use Sticky Traps Sheets or strips of sticky paper hung around your plants will trap any insects that come to visit.—
Jon VanZile,
The Spruce,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Employees did not demonstrate knowledge of location or use of sanitizer test strips.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
January 30,
Sacbee.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Catherine uplifted us in a world that often tears us down.—
Andrew Gelwicks,
Vogue,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Wielding his powers, Simon tears the cell bars away.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
With Pres as the DJ, Gabe rips through damn-near all of Sortilège like a pro.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Fast forward to today, and, somehow, the tremendously rotund AMG GT rips down twisty roads with nearly as much athleticism as fare weighing 2,000-or-more pounds less.—
Peter Nelson,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The signal revealed to a team of scientists that LFBOTs are the result of extreme Tidal Disruption Events (TDEs), in which a black hole with a mass up to 100 times that of the sun, completely shreds a companion star in just a matter of days.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
19 Dec. 2025
-
Onions and carrots become sweet and soft, while the beef shreds easily into juicy pieces.—
Renu Dhar,
Southern Living,
24 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ribbons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ribbons. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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