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
Working with paleopathologists from the University of Pisa in Italy, the team analyzed DNA extracted from the ribs of Francesco I de' Medici, as well as Giovanni de' Medici, his younger brother who died of malaria 25 years earlier. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026 The second-place club has been without Giancarlo Stanton (multiple calf strains) since April 24 and missing Aaron Judge (fractured rib) since May 31. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 26 July 2026
Verb
Lee ribbed the audience and watched as a case opened to reveal a miniature Cup. — Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026 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 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 ballet became a hilarious parody of Wagnerian cliches as a cartwheeling child wearing sneakers with rainbow lights and dressed in gold, resembling statues of the composer, presided in front of a faux Bayreuth proscenium.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
  • But fans will recognize the major tentpoles of this parody musical.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of parody
Noun
  • But Roth’s it’s-all-a-big-joke attitude here is a cop-out that’s beneath him, a way to avoid making a horror movie that truly engages us.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Write the honest sentence, take the quiet walk, and tell the truth without decorating it for comfort or turning it into a joke today.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of joke
Verb
  • Presenter Gabby Logan gently teased him for copying the Argentine’s outfit on set, and Rooney laughed along.
    — Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Corbin teased a preview of SummerSlam but declined as fans booed.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of tease
Noun
  • Kimmel’s spoof arrived shortly after McConnell released a second statement following his June 14 hospitalization, which revealed new details about his condition.
    — Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026
  • Wet Hot American Summer, the brainchild of several alumni of the beloved sketch troupe The State, is a hilarious and highly specific spoof of late-’70s and early-’80s summer-camp comedies in the vein of Meatballs.
    — Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 27 July 2026
Definition of spoof
Noun
  • The props team either hated me or loved me, honestly [laughs].
    — Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2026
  • Haven, in particular, drew many laughs from the audience by playing Lee’s dull boyfriend Peter as a cartoonish surfer boy stereotype.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 29 July 2026
Definition of laugh
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of kid
Noun
  • Blending crime fiction with social satire, the series follows Ray Carney, a furniture salesman who can’t help but be drawn into the criminal underworld of Harlem.
    — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 31 July 2026
  • There are satires of AD home tours—and a host of new competitors, from new media to independent creators.
    — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 27 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 5 Aug. 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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