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
Charlotte Observer, 20 Oct. 2025
Ball’s back, femur, pelvis and ribs, as well as bones in her face, were broken as she was tased, the complaint says, Her arm amputated as a result of the crash.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2025
Minty Mellon, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2025
This fuzzy style features long cuffed sleeves, a crew neckline, and ribbed trim, giving it enough style to replace my old oversized sweater.
—Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rib
Noun
His ribs, eyes and feet glow as the motion- and sound-activated skeleton pops to life dancing to the beat of the music.
—Charlotte Observer, 20 Oct. 2025
Ball’s back, femur, pelvis and ribs, as well as bones in her face, were broken as she was tased, the complaint says, Her arm amputated as a result of the crash.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
The Contrasting Polo Lean into modern prep by layering Reformation’s knitted polo shirt over Cos white ribbed long sleeve.
—Minty Mellon, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2025
This fuzzy style features long cuffed sleeves, a crew neckline, and ribbed trim, giving it enough style to replace my old oversized sweater.
—Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rib
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rib
Noun
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Regretting You is a similarly ridiculous and overwrought slice of melodrama, leavened with strange moments of comedy that leave you wondering if the whole thing isn’t some kind of bizarre art project, an elaborate, camp parody of the very notion of romantic literature itself.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
22 Oct. 2025
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This semester's show is a musical parody of Love Island called Love on an Island.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Dodgers manager Dave Roberts got in on the joke after his team captured the National League pennant for the fifth time in the past nine years.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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Students embraced the joke, and before long, every game began with hundreds of tortillas soaring into the night sky as the whistle blew for kickoff.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Starbucks customers may someday be able to order drinks, including alcoholic beverages, by simply talking to their phones, the company teased last week.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
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Call Her Daddy has not teased any potential upcoming appearance by the superstar, and has not yet responded to Billboard‘s request for comment.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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On last night’s episode of Saturday Night Live, a QVC spoof about a pillow took a meta turn.—
Paula Mejía,
The Atlantic,
19 Oct. 2025
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For instance, think back to when everyone was doing spoofs about titles that dealt with women in trains or in windows or in peril.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The piece signals transformation, but the spontaneous laugh turns luxury into connection; by the red-gown reveal, the necklace reads less like a trophy and more like a charm that’s worked.—
Lilah Ramzi,
Vogue,
25 Oct. 2025
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According to showrunner and executive producer David Mirkin, these laughs sometimes just serve as a tool to make sure the episodes are the correct length for broadcast.—
Grace Dean,
Space.com,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Just before Thursday’s taping Pence and Emanual met outside the greenroom, and each greeted each other warmly, quickly asking each other questions about their kids before anything else, while kidding with each other about a long unpaid bet.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
10 Oct. 2025
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Okay, kidding about that last part.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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There are some theatrical releases coming home for the first time, like a buzzy Julia Garner horror flick and a celebrity satire with Kate Hudson and Elisabeth Moss.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
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Get Shorty remains a classic Hollywood satire and one of the great examples of the decade’s foray into meta films.—
Erik Morse,
Vogue,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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So, in addition to chicken skewers or fish fillets, the grill can tackle roast pork tenderloins and vegetables in the same batch.—
Adam Campbell-Schmitt,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Oct. 2025
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The caramel notes of the crisped chicken skin echo that of the roasting apples.—
Tribune News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rib.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rib. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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