as in to tear
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 ribbon
Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 2 May 2025
Tree planting, ribbon cutting and plaque unveiling are staple duties of ceremonial royal roles, and both Sweden and the United Kingdom are governed by constitutional monarchies.
Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage?
—Janine Henni, People.com, 1 May 2025
Maria Shollenbarger, Travel + Leisure, 20 June 2022
The Hoover Dam went from legislation to ribbon cutting in eight years.
—The Editorial Board, WSJ, 16 June 2022
See All Example Sentences for ribbon
Noun
This narrow ribbon of asphalt unfolds along Maui’s untamed eastern coastline, cutting through thick, green rainforest.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 2 May 2025
Tree planting, ribbon cutting and plaque unveiling are staple duties of ceremonial royal roles, and both Sweden and the United Kingdom are governed by constitutional monarchies.
Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage?
—Janine Henni, People.com, 1 May 2025
Verb
As the road began to ribbon up and around the southern slope of the mountain, everything subtly shifted.
—Maria Shollenbarger, Travel + Leisure, 20 June 2022
The Hoover Dam went from legislation to ribbon cutting in eight years.
—The Editorial Board, WSJ, 16 June 2022
See All Example Sentences for ribbon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ribbon
Noun
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The next images that appear depict three sequential viewpoints, suggesting the frames of a film strip, of a baby’s crowning head.—
Jessica Simmons-Reid,
Artforum,
1 June 2025
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Do people have access to the basics – food, medical care and water – in the south of the strip?—
Sarah-Grace Mankarious,
CNN Money,
31 May 2025
Verb
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If the tag recommends dry cleaning, washing in cold water in the washing machine, or tumble-drying on medium heat in the dryer, follow those instructions to avoid fading, shrinking, tearing, or otherwise compromising your duvet.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
31 May 2025
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Authorities said the inmates pulled open faulty sliding cell doors, tore out a bathroom to create a hole in the jail, and then climbed a wall to escape.—
Jonathan Limehouse,
USA Today,
29 May 2025
Verb
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Now the Trump administration wants to negate that argument by asserting that to harm an endangered species means only to injure or kill it directly: to rip it out by the roots or blow it away with a shotgun.—
Emma Marris,
The Atlantic,
25 May 2025
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The Tangipahoa Jail is about 70 miles away from New Orleans, where 10 inmates escaped by ripping a toilet and sink unit from the wall and climbing through a hole on May 16.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
24 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ribbon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ribbon. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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