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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rib
Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026
Their cancer is found only after symptoms appear, or by accident if someone is having a CT for an unrelated reason, like a rib injury or a cardiac test.
—Caleb Hellerman, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
Amanda Eyre Ward, Travel + Leisure, 13 Apr. 2026
In real life, Miller takes the ribbing well, happy to be his friend’s fall guy for the purposes of narrative structure.
—Jack Crosbie, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rib
Noun
Dried dandelion root is even sold as a caffeine-free coffee substitute, fetching over $31 a pound in stores — outpricing prime rib and lobster, according to MOFGA.
—Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026
Their cancer is found only after symptoms appear, or by accident if someone is having a CT for an unrelated reason, like a rib injury or a cardiac test.
—Caleb Hellerman, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
For a decadent splurge, try this Poetry cashmere ribbed top instead in ivory.
—Amanda Eyre Ward, Travel + Leisure, 13 Apr. 2026
In real life, Miller takes the ribbing well, happy to be his friend’s fall guy for the purposes of narrative structure.
—Jack Crosbie, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rib
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rib
Noun
-
The whole conversation with that executive felt like a parody of my industry.—
Ryan O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
4 May 2026
-
His deadpan humor comes through most brilliantly in Game Boy Tetris (2013–19), a parody of the logic of optimization that underpins capitalist culture.—
Emily Watlington,
ARTnews.com,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
The charm offensive was benefited Rubio peppering in a number of jokes during his hourlong appearance.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
7 May 2026
-
Thor is now a circus clown — not even a funny one at that — relegated to being the butt of Star-Lord's unfunny jokes and the least-serious Avenger.—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
6 May 2026
Verb
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With The Boys teasing a return for Aya Cash‘s Stormfront in the upcoming prequel series, Eric Kripke has no plans to retcon her motivations.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
10 May 2026
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Although Talamasca is ending, AMC teased possible iterations of the universe in future shows.—
Alyssa Modos,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
Noun
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Rather than focusing on the conspiracy theories Jones espoused, the new InfoWars will build its comedic base off a spoof of the old site’s predatory snake oil rackets.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
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That movie was an instant cult classic, a terrific spoof of modern-day music celebrity that was well received by critics.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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There are moments when Lily feels lost and anxious, and another scene where a panicked sheep knocks over furniture, although that is played for laughs.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
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Even Gawker’s star investigative reporter Adrian Chen, whose exposé of the dark web marketplace Silk Road was a huge scoop, could generate laughs.—
Frank DiGiacomo,
HollywoodReporter,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Gosling, of course, was kidding.—
Jake Coyle,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
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Young Michael may have seemed strange, or just plain different, to kids his own age, but what about the adult Michael, whose professional life took him outside the family orbit and into offices, studios, and night clubs?—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Aster, whose satire Eddington premiered at Cannes last year, and his partner Lars Knudsen will produce through their Square Peg banner.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
6 May 2026
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This week’s Independent Press Top 40 Bestsellers for fiction and nonfiction • The 27 books out in paperback this month • Is satire really dead?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
Noun
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The president has long bristled at the otherwise customary joking at his expense by celebrity comedians.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
28 Apr. 2026
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Here opposites — classy and brassy — are distractions, with odd-couple joking substituting for something more substantial.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rib.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rib. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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