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

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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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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

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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
There is also a Ritz Suede Varsity Jacket finished with striped rib trim. — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026 The bar makes a perfectly balanced drink, and brunch holds its own with plenty of light and rib-sticking options alike (the steak and eggs were my favorite) and strong locally roasted coffee (both pour-over and espresso options). — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Verb
It’s designed with a darling sailor-style collar accentuated with white stitching that extends down the front, while the red knit is complemented with ribbing at the hem and sleeves. — Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 24 Aug. 2026 Mussel shells can be smooth or ribbed with concentric ridges. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Aug. 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 audience, by then, once united in laughing at its easier targets of parody, had become more fractious and ill-at-ease.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Of course, this being a MAGA parody and being SNL, the joke had to go further.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of parody
Noun
  • That’s one of the wobbliest of the timeline-hopping jokes in the show.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Painfully aware of this, Shawn waited for one of the drunk old men to comment, heckle, make one of those incomprehensible jokes that drew rude laughter from adults.
    — Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of joke
Verb
  • Transitions are constant both within and between songs, most of which include an interlude or coda that teases the next track.
    — Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The live-action series, which will go into production next year, was teased with its own logo that seemed to hint at a potential connection to the SHIELD agency, and is among one of the five shows THR previously reported were in the works.
    — Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of tease
Noun
  • This will help prevent attempts to spoof or hijack the signal.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The prolific Polish broke out with his low-budget cult hit, Twin Falls Idaho, and has since helmed an array of indie features ranging from a Kerouac adaptation (Big Sur) to a sci-fi spoof (Hot Bot) to an old-school Western (Terror on the Prairie).
    — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of spoof
Noun
  • The show is hosted by Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond, who never fail to bring the laughs as the home bakers succeed, or seize, under pressure.
    — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Eisenberg’s film garnered considerable laughs — and applause — from the theater-going crowd at its starry NYFF screening that saw Eisenberg, the cast, producer Emma Stone and even Claire Danes in attendance.
    — Marlow Stern, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of laugh
Verb
  • Pursuing big goals while parenting shows kids the value of hard work and resilience.
    — Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 15 Sep. 2026
  • What everyday skills should kids practice before the first week of school?
    — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of kid
Noun
  • Altman isn’t the only big name who gets chewed up and spit out by Guadagnino’s dark satire.
    — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The film is a satire about an impending climate change apocalypse that’s triggered by the drilling operations of oil tycoon Digger Rockwell, played by Cruise, who looks nearly unrecognizable clad in prosthetics and graying hair.
    — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of satire
Noun
  • Russell was mentioned in that speech, but in a joking way, playing off of how frequent Oscars director Glenn Weiss, who won for his role helming the 2018 Academy Awards telecast, had used his speech to propose to his then-girlfriend.
    — Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Arch Manning's joking comments at a news conference about a fake video of coach Steve Sarkisian slapping ESPN reporter Holly Rowe erupted in controversy.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Sep. 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 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on rib

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rib

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