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
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of rib
Adam Harrington, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Leave it to your trusty slow-cooker to make juicy, extra tender ribs.
—Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 8 Jan. 2026
Edward Segarra, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Designers include trompe-l’œil denim, camoflauge and ribbed Lycra.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rib
Noun
Popular menu items include pork sliders, carnitas nachos, the Cuban sandwich, and the pork belly burnt ends sandwich and plate, as well as ribs, mac and cheese, and an assortment of pizzas.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Leave it to your trusty slow-cooker to make juicy, extra tender ribs.
—Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
The cheeky post comes after Schumer ribbed her weight-loss transformation with fans earlier this month after receiving praise for her slimmer figure on social media.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Designers include trompe-l’œil denim, camoflauge and ribbed Lycra.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rib
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rib
Noun
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The three-year Off-Broadway hit is a parody of the classic film Titanic, imagining the story as if Celine Dion were narrating it.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Jan. 2026
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Maduro played the song at so many events that Chavistas (or Maduro supporters) began to claim it as pro-Maduro, even though Santana made it as a parody of the president.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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If that means being the frequent butt of jokes for his age, that's fine, too.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
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Try to ski with a friend, who might distract me with a story or a joke.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In August 2025, the company announced plans to enter the automotive sector and teased two concept cars that drew heavy comparisons to the Bugatti Chiron and Rolls-Royce Cullinan.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
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Also at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, Cyrus teased a potential return to the beloved, wig-wearing character.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The father-son duo recently filmed Spaceballs 2, the follow-up to the 1987 Star Wars spoof from comedy legend Mel Brooks and starring Bill.—
Eric Andersson,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
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Trcka expanded her career into films and television beginning with the horror spoof Scary Movie, which hit theaters in 2000.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The Spartans got the last laugh for now, too, taking both games.—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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Katz said, feigning familiarity with the leader’s influence and drawing laughs from the audience.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Rates for the winter journey to the North Pole start at approximately $42 for adults (and kids ages 12 and over) and just over $31 for children ages two to 11.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Nov. 2025
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Just kidding - but honestly not sold on him being the best player on a championship caliber team.—
The Athletic NBA Staff,
New York Times,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The opening sketch has long been the primary venue for the show’s most enduring political satire.—
Erik Adams,
The Atlantic,
9 Nov. 2025
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In keeping with a pleasing streak of industry satire here—Michael Haneke and Netflix get hilarious shout-outs—Fanning has a bracing directness that cuts through all the dramaturgical throat-clearing.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
7 Nov. 2025
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 11 Jan. 2026.
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