ribaldry

noun

rib·ald·ry | \ ˈri-bəl-drē

How to pronounce ribaldry (audio)

also ˈrī- \

plural ribaldries

Definition of ribaldry

1 : a ribald quality or element

2a : ribald language or humor

b : an instance of ribald language or humor

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about ribaldry

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Examples of ribaldry in a Sentence

there's a ribaldry in the works of Chaucer that generations of students of English literature have heartily enjoyed

Recent Examples on the Web These sections contain startling revelations about tribal culture, native ribaldry, and a social outcast’s mad nerve. — Armond White, National Review, "2020’s Great Gangsta Epic," 18 Dec. 2020 The young woman disappeared in the ribaldry, everyone smelling of perfume and drowning one another out in their hysterical good time. — David Rabe, The New Yorker, "Suffocation Theory," 5 Oct. 2020 The horses pick their fresh ways delicately through the dewy country, the brightness of sunrise has not yet fallen from the air, the sky is blue and all-covering, and the cowboys are full of jokes and morning ribaldries. — Larry Mcmurtry, Harper's magazine, "American Cowboys," 28 Oct. 2019 What makes this a matter of more than mere ribaldry is that the baristas have unlimbered heavy constitutional artillery. — George Will, National Review, "Bikini-Clad Baristas Serve Up a Lesson in Free Speech," 4 Oct. 2017 A trio of troublemaking nuns (Aubrey Plaza, Kate Micucci and Alison Brie) soon complicate matters, resulting in some hilarious, blasphemous ribaldry. — OregonLive.com, "Movie Picks: David Lynch retrospective, 'The Big Sick' and more," 5 July 2017 Imagine Ludlam’s Ridiculous Theatrical Company without the cross-dressing ribaldry. — Charles Mcnulty, latimes.com, "And you thought your contractor was bad. Meet 'The Monster Builder' at South Coast Rep," 15 May 2017 In the end, the ribaldry seemed to stay all in good fun, revelers reported. — Victor Mather, New York Times, "Gronk Cruise: 700 Patriots Fans, 13 Bars and One Rob Gronkowski," 23 Feb. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ribaldry.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Ribaldry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ribaldry. Accessed 7 Mar. 2021.

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