rib 1 of 2

noun

Definition of ribnext
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

rib

2 of 2

verb

as in to tease
to make fun of in a good-natured way ribbed him a bit about fumbling such an easy play

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example 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 rib
Noun
Executive Chef Joe Swan brings an East Coast influence to the menu, featuring classic steaks, the location's famous prime rib, and standout seafood dishes like Shrimp De Jonghe. — Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Do not let your lower ribs flare or lower back lift away from the floor. — Dana Santas, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
Lee ribbed the audience and watched as a case opened to reveal a miniature Cup. — Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026 Thanks to its sleeveless silhouette, the top feels lightweight and breathable on hot days, while ribbed knits and stretch cotton fabrics offer a comfortable, body-skimming fit without feeling restrictive. — Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for rib
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rib
  1. parody
  2. joke
  3. tease
  4. spoof
  5. laugh
  6. kid
  7. satire
  8. joking
Noun
  • The ballet became a hilarious parody of Wagnerian cliches as a cartwheeling child wearing sneakers with rainbow lights and dressed in gold, resembling statues of the composer, presided in front of a faux Bayreuth proscenium.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
  • But fans will recognize the major tentpoles of this parody musical.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of parody
Noun
  • The jokes have continued nearly nonstop — and not all are coming from the man in the can with a 20-point plan.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • There is nothing, no drama, no insight, not even a joke other than the one NeNe makes about Porsha swimming in the lady pond.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of joke
Verb
  • Before the show’s official announcement, Brown teased a reunion with Harbour during the June 24 episode of the Happy Sad Confused podcast.
    — Shelby Stivale, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Aug. 2026
  • One of the original Blue Bloods is making a trip to Beantown after Donnie Wahlberg teased an upcoming guest star on Boston Blue.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of tease
Noun
  • Spaceballs saw Moranis as Lord Dark Helmet, the villainous spoof of Star Wars’ iconic villain Darth Vader.
    — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Wet Hot American Summer, the brainchild of several alumni of the beloved sketch troupe The State, is a hilarious and highly specific spoof of late-’70s and early-’80s summer-camp comedies in the vein of Meatballs.
    — Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 27 July 2026
Definition of spoof
Noun
  • But there are plenty of affirmative laughs in her roughly 65-minute set, tickets to which are not cheap.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
  • There’s not enough conflict to drive the narrative, and not enough laughs to liven up the dead spots.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of laugh
Verb
  • Running under the surface of the film is the anxiety that kids his age are lucky to secure any job, even one as low-paying and exploitative as Erika’s studio assistant.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
  • But Guthrie wasn’t kidding, slipping into a yellow gingham dress before joining her co-hosts on the Today Show Plaza to greet visitors.
    — Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Definition of kid
Noun
  • Running through Saturday, the 4th of July Tuna High School Class reunion takes over the third-tiniest town in Texas, bringing oddball humor and small-town satire into the spotlight.
    — Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Some of these memes adhered to conventional forms of political satire.
    — Evan Clarkson, The Conversation, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of satire
Noun
  • Back in December 1968, Dolan wrote a joking column about the earlier Lake Worth monster, from way back in 1947.
    — Star-Telegram staff, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2026
  • Oh, but the Padres manager was ready with the joking last night.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 June 2026
Definition of joking

Browse Nearby Words

riatas
rib
ribald
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Cite this Entry

“Rib.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rib. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on rib

Nglish: Translation of rib for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rib

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