as in joking
marked by or expressive of mild or good-natured teasing
the lightly ribbing tone tipped me off that this wasn't a serious reprimand
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in mocking
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in teasing
to make fun of in a good-natured way
ribbed him a bit about fumbling such an easy play
Synonyms & Similar Words
Examples 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 ribbing
Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2024
The jokes centered around the nuances of the Black community that has long called Harlem home, but the crowd embraced the good-natured ribbing.
—Jean E. Palmieri, WWD, 10 Sep. 2024
Lakers LeBron James says pay cut was about making sure his relationship with Lakers works
July 7, 2024
Durant added some good-natured ribbing of some fellow Team USA players.
—Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2024
McCoubrey was in the Navy, while Samaras and Theis served in the Army — a divide that's become the subject of some good-natured ribbing in their home.
—James Brown, CBS News, 3 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for ribbing 
Noun
Father-son team and first time hosts Eugene Levy and Dan Levy hit the stage Sunday at the Peacock theater to get the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards started with feel-good jokes and gentle ribbing.
—Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2024
The jokes centered around the nuances of the Black community that has long called Harlem home, but the crowd embraced the good-natured ribbing.
—Jean E. Palmieri, WWD, 10 Sep. 2024
Lakers LeBron James says pay cut was about making sure his relationship with Lakers works
July 7, 2024
Durant added some good-natured ribbing of some fellow Team USA players.
—Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2024
McCoubrey was in the Navy, while Samaras and Theis served in the Army — a divide that's become the subject of some good-natured ribbing in their home.
—James Brown, CBS News, 3 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for ribbing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ribbing
Verb
-
Their jacket flaps include marketing copy designed to entice a browser to buy (and, ideally, read) them, teasing the details of their plot, their mood, or the flavor of their prose.Tajja Isen, The Atlantic, 11 Dec. 2024
-
While the pop star typically wears her hair in big, bombshell curls, this set was especially fluffy and voluminous, definitely the result of some Velcro rollers, a teasing comb, and a large-barrel curling iron.Kara Nesvig, Allure, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Hard to tell if Carrey was joking or not, given he is known for his comedy.Lisa Respers France, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024
-
By emoting or joking online, Swifties are able to connect with one another and find a sense of closure for an event that has been uplifting for many of them.Callum Booth, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
The comment quickly spread like wildfire online, causing much confusion about if his comment was sarcastic or a dig at the country crooner.Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 22 Nov. 2024
-
While the main cast all reprised their roles, Rapp’s Leighton Murray, the ultra-wealthy, sarcastic sorority girl whose journey of self-discovery was central to the first two seasons, is bidding her farewell.Jordana Comiter, People.com, 21 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
However, the puzzles are rarely straightforward, using homophones and wordplay, among other techniques, to keep players challenged.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
-
In the series, the mischievous Cat and his sidekick, the ever-cautious Fish, strike out on kooky adventures that feature alphabet song sing-a-longs, tremendous tongue-twisters, and wondrous wordplay.Spenser Mestel, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Directed by Sidney Poitier, the film paired Poitier with Bill Cosby and Harry Belafonte in a story that was filled with humor, heart, and sharp cultural insight.Shelby Stewart, Essence, 17 Dec. 2024
-
Through these two characters, the film blends touching moments, humor, and a very realistic depiction of navigating love and relationships in a bustling urban environment.Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
At my own family gatherings, people might opine about their own bodies or occasionally aim a barb about how a cousin or I have lost or gained weight.Ella Cerón, Allure, 6 Dec. 2024
-
Shakur Stevenson and Floyd Schofield traded barbs on social media through the Thanksgiving weekend.Brian Mazique, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near ribbing
Cite this Entry
“Ribbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ribbing. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share