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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
Consumers who indirectly purchased raw pork bacon or fresh or frozen pork made from bellies, loins, shoulders, ribs or pork chops from one of the companies may be eligible for a cash payment. — Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2026 The spectacular rack-o-rib volcano is available to all fans at the Molly B’s concession stand just inside Gate 2 of the stadium. — Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 16 Sep. 2026
Verb
Its vintage ribbed texture and matching glass tray impart a homey but modern feel to any kitchen. — Clara Hillis, Architectural Digest, 18 Aug. 2026 This cotton coverlet fits the bill, thanks to its lightweight cotton make, and ribbing adds dimension to the otherwise plain set. — Better Homes & Gardens, 27 July 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
  • Other targets of the show’s sharp parody over the years have been Saddam Hussein, Tom Cruise, the soft drink Prime and GLP-1 weight-loss drugs.
    — Jocelyn Noveck, Fortune, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Kevin Zak — whose theatrical credits include the hilarious Parent Trap parody Ginger Twinsies — wrote the book, while Jason Michael Snow penned the music and lyrics.
    — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of parody
Noun
  • In their new home, the past clings to Everton; restless, a bad joke, craving more, loud, glorious.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The vice president warned during the event that her threat was not a joke.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of joke
Verb
  • Elsewhere, the trailer teases tension between Kourtney and the rest of the family.
    — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Drizzy teased nearly ten new records and mixes in the film, ranging from acoustic ballads to island bops, New Orleans bounce tracks, and another rager with Yeat.
    — Armon Sadler, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of tease
Noun
  • The material provided her in a Shirley Temple spoof was a sophomoric attempt at satire that got its laughs with pointed needling rather than subtle jabbing.
    — Hank Grant, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Don Adams led the slapstick spy spoof as the brainy but hopelessly incompetent Agent Smart, starring alongside Barbara Feldon as the ever-capable Agent 99.
    — Jack Dunn, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of spoof
Noun
  • Additionally, Richard Kind as the mayor’s put-upon press secretary also generates laughs.
    — Miles Beller, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026
  • On the set of Ryan Murphy’s retelling of that story, however, his cast managed to get in lots of laughs.
    — Joan Kennedy, Vogue, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of laugh
Verb
  • What everyday skills should kids practice before the first week of school?
    — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of kid
Noun
  • The material provided her in a Shirley Temple spoof was a sophomoric attempt at satire that got its laughs with pointed needling rather than subtle jabbing.
    — Hank Grant, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Beavis and Butt-Head function as a note-perfect satire of teenage confidence and idiocy, but the sharpness of the writing has always belied the bottom-of-the-barrel intellect of its title characters.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of satire
Noun
  • 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
  • Indeed, at lunch, instead of separating into groups to eat, all 16 participants form one mega table and spend the half-hour joking and laughing together.
    — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 31 Aug. 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 20 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on rib

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rib

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