1
as in parody
a work that imitates and exaggerates another work for comic effect
the movie is a rib of the "dramatic love story" that was so popular in the 1950s
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2
as in joke
something said or done to cause laughter
began to lose his sense of humor after being the butt of his friends' ribs once too often
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rib
Nikiya Carrero, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
At Big Ma’s, the ribs are cut into manageable pieces, with just enough fat to leave the meat unctuous but easy to eat.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Erik Adams, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2026
Even Maye has gotten in on the fun, according to Pats quarterbacks coach Ashton Grant, who says he’s been ribbing Josh in meetings.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rib
Noun
According to the arrest report, the responding officer noted that the bone structure of all three dogs was clearly visible, including their ribs, spine, and midsection.
—Nikiya Carrero, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
At Big Ma’s, the ribs are cut into manageable pieces, with just enough fat to leave the meat unctuous but easy to eat.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
Stranger Things’ transformation—from a charming homage to ’80s blockbusters to a sprawling transmedia franchise—was ribbed later in last night’s episode, in a commercial parody imagining a string of continuations.
—Erik Adams, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2026
Even Maye has gotten in on the fun, according to Pats quarterbacks coach Ashton Grant, who says he’s been ribbing Josh in meetings.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rib
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rib
Noun
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From gritty political reality to absurdly cutting political commentary, tongue-in-cheek parody to touching, intimate drama (plus a moody adaptation of a Russian short story), voters have a wide selection from which to choose.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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But this Hooters location built a cult following through TikTok dances, parody skits and viral videos.—
Peter Burke,
FOXNews.com,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Talk about the weather, add some jokes in there about some of the guys on the team and just stuff like that.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
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The event, held at the Montana Hotel in Pétion-Ville, was the butt of jokes on social media amid questions over the group’s authority to act.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The reggaeton icon briefly teased his performance in a trailer released by Apple Music in January 2026.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
8 Feb. 2026
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Trump teased his non-prediction in a post on TikTok last week.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Guthrie went back to her alma mater The University of Arizona, greeting its president Suresh Garimella in one spoof and meeting sorority sisters at her own Pi Beta Phi in another skit.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
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No weapons were found, and police told Fox San Antonio the phone call came from Philadelphia and was later determined to be a spoof.—
Julianna Duennes Russ,
Austin American Statesman,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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His teams won five College World Series titles — three at Fullerton and two at Texas — and left an enduring impact of triumph with some stumbles and plenty of laughs along the way.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
6 Feb. 2026
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There are plenty of laughs along the way, but the most powerful moment lands midway through the show.—
Ross Raihala,
Twin Cities,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Don't kid yourself into thinking that claiming many new tax breaks will be simple.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
3 Feb. 2026
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Even Shelton, a two-time Grand Slam semifinalist who won his first ATP Masters 1000 title at an Alcaraz-and-Sinner-less Canadian Open last summer, didn’t kid himself about being far off the pace that the world’s two best players have set.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Mike begins to struggle with the idea of doing something that might finally give his life (and his death) meaning, and although the film goes in absurd directions, Gavras sells it by pitching everything at the level of epic satire, his grandiose images working in tandem with moments of broad humor.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
5 Feb. 2026
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Directed by Cathy Yan, The Gallerist is an art world satire with a morbid twist.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Cole follows up with a joking request to appear on an interlude on the forthcoming project, then asks whether West could send him a care package of clothes — which West agrees to — before exiting the stage.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
28 Dec. 2025
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Our poll’s options include a joking reference to Dan Marino.—
Greg Cote
December 20,
Miami Herald,
20 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rib.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rib. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
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