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
Brush the ribs with the cola barbecue sauce on both sides and grill or broil for 10 minutes, flipping once, until charred on each side. — ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026 The arched ceiling is formed from modular precast concrete ribs, while extensive glazing brings natural light into the swimming space and offers views across the city. — New Atlas, 23 Sep. 2026
Verb
Mussel shells can be smooth or ribbed with concentric ridges. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Aug. 2026 Its vintage ribbed texture and matching glass tray impart a homey but modern feel to any kitchen. — Clara Hillis, Architectural Digest, 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
  • That show includes animation and sketches as well as absurdist act-outs and character portraits, like Patel’s parody of one-man shows.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
  • In another sketch, Webb and Olivia Colman parody a makeover show and are confronted by a woman in a burqa.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of parody
Noun
  • The joke refers to Sheeran’s appearance on Chicken Shop Date in November 2021, when Dimoldenberg met the singer at Sam’s Chicken in London.
    — Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Thank God for both Jane Wickline and Jeremy Culhane stopping by the desk for funny, clear, and joke-heavy characters.
    — Rima Parikh, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of joke
Verb
  • Audrey Niffenegger has long teased the sequel to The Time Traveler’s Wife, featuring Clare and Henry’s Chrono-Displaced daughter Alba and her two husbands—Oliver, a time traveler like her, and Zach, existing in linear time.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Projections of silhouettes walking across the walls teased the upcoming show for roughly half an hour as guests were seated in their corresponding sections.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of tease
Noun
  • 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
  • What to read next 'Strange New Worlds'' latest episode is a soap opera spoof, but hasn't 'Star Trek' always been a soap opera in space?
    — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of spoof
Noun
  • Pledging love and respecting someone or a relationship can make people feel so uncomfortable that leaning into these tropes of life can feel humorous, and that’s where the laughs from a Hallmark film come from.
    — Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Here are some of the posts on X that made the brothers laugh.
    — Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 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 role required Cruise to transform with prosthetics (including a fat suit and thinning white hair) and a put-on Southern accent, but, mostly, the absurdist satire demanded his full acting range.
    — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Those were both comedies about seismic events; Digger does it differently, a satire of disaster movies that says the real disaster is ourselves.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 29 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 2 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on rib

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rib

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