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

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
While Judge might not have been hitting like himself in his seven games back from the rib injury that kept him out since June, going 4 for 23 with one home run and 13 strikeouts, his presence in the lineup was a boost. — Ryan Canfield Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026 San Francisco lost wide receiver Mike Evans to a rib injury in the first half and left tackle Trent Williams to a stinger in the second half, but still managed to hold on to start 3-0 for the third time in the last four seasons. — CBS News, 28 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • This autumn, there are plenty of comedians rounding the country, all primed to provide you with boundless laughs.
    — Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 1 Oct. 2026
  • This laugh-out-loud picture book will delight young readers (and anyone else who’d like several hundred puppies).
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 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
  • 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 8 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on rib

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rib

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