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
The Yankees are also playing without All World All Star Aaron Judge (ribs stress fracture) and slugger Giancarlo Stanton (strained calf). — Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026 In Texas, appreciating the process of patriotism Rodney Ellis will celebrate at picnics around his precinct in Houston with barbecue pork ribs and ice tea, and a heaping helping of worry about the nation's future. — Susan Bence, NPR, 4 July 2026
Verb
Richie Laryea would rib other players during their turns before giving a maximum effort with the headset on. — Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 17 June 2026 Many of his teammates, in fact, rib him about being drafted in 2016, when many of them were in middle school, or younger. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 17 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
  • There should honestly be a sequel parody of Twister where the storm chasers use tornados to cover up their kills.
    — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026
  • Within the hour, the White House posted a parody of their announcement.
    — Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 4 July 2026
Definition of parody
Noun
  • Nathan thinks Joe is teasing him about his cleanliness, and jokes back that Joe hasn’t changed his sheets, either.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 July 2026
  • The jokes about a modern couple trapped in a magical town stuck more than 200 years in the past hit the mark with just the right amount of bawdy fun.
    — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Definition of joke
Verb
  • At times, the Swiss filmmaker teases the possibility that the conventional narrative shown thus far might break into a bold, daring twist.
    — Elena Lazic, Variety, 11 July 2026
  • The pair talked strategy and teased the possibility of more deals, notably with ITV Studios seen as an acquisition target.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 10 July 2026
Definition of tease
Noun
  • The lithe Pettet then sparkled as Mata Bond, the product of a love affair between Niven’s 007 and the spy Mata Hari, in the Bond spoof Casino Royale (1967).
    — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 9 July 2026
  • The goofy sketch comedies and homemade spoofs that once filled his channel gradually disappeared, replaced by melancholy short films and bleak monologues.
    — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2026
Definition of spoof
Noun
  • At Balenciaga, where Pierpaolo Piccioli made his debut with bubble silhouettes that reference an iconic dress by the house founder and chez Jean Paul Gaultier, Duran Lantink had the last laugh—as an enfant terrible is wont to do.
    — Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 10 July 2026
  • There are genuine laughs sprinkled in but too many elements land with a thud — including an excessive amount of comedic gore that grows tiresome and a mailman/narrator gag that just isn’t funny.
    — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
Definition of laugh
Verb
  • 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
  • If there was any skepticism due to the level of competition Moss faced in college, don’t kid yourself.
    — Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 25 June 2026
Definition of kid
Noun
  • The resurgence of Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s long-running shock comedy and cultural satire is, at the very least, reflective of the actual show’s cultural footprint in the past year.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 10 July 2026
  • But the show is not a parody; where Hollis’ Martha Stewart domesticity could easily tip into satire, it’s treated as a legitimate trauma response to losing her nuclear family at an early age.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 9 July 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 15 Jul. 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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