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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rib
Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Herro has missed the past six games with what the Heat have been listing as a right costochondral Injury to the ribs.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026
Perrie Samotin, Glamour, 14 Jan. 2026
The caseband is ribbed like a pillar shaft, as is the crown.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rib
Noun
Every pork chop is a bit different, depending on its thickness and where it has been cut along the ribs or sirloin.
—Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Herro has missed the past six games with what the Heat have been listing as a right costochondral Injury to the ribs.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
In addition to gentle ribbing, the coat also captivated commenters.
—Perrie Samotin, Glamour, 14 Jan. 2026
The caseband is ribbed like a pillar shaft, as is the crown.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rib
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rib
Noun
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This whole administration is sort of a parody of, like, a women’s-studies class on masculinity.—
Hanna Rosin,
The Atlantic,
25 Jan. 2026
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The network quickly moved to censor a transgressive sitcom parody where soon-to-be-Ramones-manager Danny Fields tries to cure a TV repairman’s hemorrhoids by sticking a lightbulb up his ass.—
Vikram Murthi,
IndieWire,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
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But for too many of us, that proved an empty promise, the concept of work-life balance a cruel joke for women burned out from trying to take care of children and aging relatives, advance their careers (or even tread water in them), and meet other seemingly countless obligations.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
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Verizon had no say over the fate of an actor who once played a fictional ad icon on its behalf, but consumers got the joke.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That play was practically a solo show, though Hayes teased to Seth Meyers that playing multiple characters on The Unknown is far more difficult.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
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Paris Hilton has teased the possibility of new music with longtime friend Britney Spears, saying the pair have been talking about a potential collaboration while reconnecting over music and shared experiences.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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No weapons were found, and police told Fox San Antonio the phone call came from Philadelphia and was later determined to be a spoof.—
Julianna Duennes Russ,
Austin American Statesman,
30 Jan. 2026
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Cinemas had been flooded with spy movies by this point; even the Bond spoof Casino Royale, released the same year, rivaled the real 007 film's popularity.—
Sezin Devi Koehler,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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That anything-for-a-laugh ethos is not a flaw in his canon but its animating principle.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Jan. 2026
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The pair shared warm cups of oatmeal in the car, staying warm and having a laugh together about the wild turn the weather had taken.—
Kendall Malinchock,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Even Shelton, a two-time Grand Slam semifinalist who won his first ATP Masters 1000 title at an Alcaraz-and-Sinner-less Canadian Open last summer, didn’t kid himself about being far off the pace that the world’s two best players have set.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
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There’s an adults-only section and a large, warm pool that kids love.—
Graham Averill,
Outside,
12 Dec. 2025
Noun
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The second season of the Seth Rogen showbiz satire recently began filming.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
30 Jan. 2026
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The film is a social satire set on a long-haul flight where the entertainment systems fail, and an eclectic group of international passengers are forced to face the horror of being bored.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Cole follows up with a joking request to appear on an interlude on the forthcoming project, then asks whether West could send him a care package of clothes — which West agrees to — before exiting the stage.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
28 Dec. 2025
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Our poll’s options include a joking reference to Dan Marino.—
Greg Cote
December 20,
Miami Herald,
20 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rib.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rib. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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