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
Some weeks customers were so sparse that Martinez couldn’t afford to offer his now-signature rib-eye taco. — Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2026 Lynch confirmed an initial report by ESPN that Shanahan fractured his nose, a hand and three ribs, while requiring over 40 stitches to his face and sustaining a severe concussion. — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 25 July 2026
Verb
Thanks to its sleeveless silhouette, the top feels lightweight and breathable on hot days, while ribbed knits and stretch cotton fabrics offer a comfortable, body-skimming fit without feeling restrictive. — Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026 But regardless of any gentle ribbing among friends, Griffin has never been shy about plastic surgery. — Louis Peitzman, Entertainment Weekly, 24 June 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
  • Gordon has made a name for himself through parodies that channel different personas and genres.
    — Marc Malkin, Variety, 17 July 2026
  • Whitehead responded, characteristically, with a parody in Harper’s of a Wood review.
    — Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026
Definition of parody
Noun
  • For a few hours, the disappearance was fodder for office jokes, Mélanie Brinbaum, Nestlé’s European head of marketing and consumer communications, tells Fortune.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 20 July 2026
  • Poor Sirs Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen are back in the mix, reprising their X-Men roles, and somehow, Channing Tatum is Gambit, like, for real and not as a joke.
    — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 20 July 2026
Definition of joke
Verb
  • During the panel, del Toro teased a documentary that explores the process of creating the original film, which features appearances and commentary from Jacob Elordi, Cate Blanchett and Charlie Day.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 25 July 2026
  • Watch the trailer, which teases an intergalactic and perhaps inter-dimensional mission.
    — Katie Campione, Deadline, 25 July 2026
Definition of tease
Noun
  • Incode’s deepfake detection tool, Deepsight, distinguishes between real humans and a digital spoof in real-time.
    — Nia Bowers, USA Today, 16 July 2026
  • The lithe Pettet then sparkled as Mata Bond, the product of a love affair between Niven’s 007 and the spy Mata Hari, in the Bond spoof Casino Royale (1967).
    — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 9 July 2026
Definition of spoof
Noun
  • How was Clements able to tailor his writing for a wide audience but still give them plenty of laughs?
    — William Earl, Variety, 24 July 2026
  • Her Onslaught costar Drew Starkey broke out into a shocked laugh.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 July 2026
Definition of laugh
Verb
  • But Guthrie wasn’t kidding, slipping into a yellow gingham dress before joining her co-hosts on the Today Show Plaza to greet visitors.
    — Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
  • If there was any skepticism due to the level of competition Moss faced in college, don’t kid yourself.
    — Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 25 June 2026
Definition of kid
Noun
  • What began as a bold social satire — blending visceral action with a critique of corporate greed, privatization, and the nature of identity — has resonated across generations, spawning sequels, television series, video games and comic books.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2026
  • Ambitiously reaching past satire toward psychological revelation, the play piles on plot twists but offers thin, inconsistent character work and a retrograde climax, leaving its portrait of American familial dysfunction strangely underpowered.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of satire
Noun
  • Back in December 1968, Dolan wrote a joking column about the earlier Lake Worth monster, from way back in 1947.
    — Star-Telegram staff, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2026
  • Oh, but the Padres manager was ready with the joking last night.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 June 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 27 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on rib

Nglish: Translation of rib for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rib

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