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
Relevance
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
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
Gary Stoller, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Sandoval sells empanadas, costilla de puerco — pork ribs — and other dishes at her sidewalk stand.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2025
Nora Colomer
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 2 May 2025
Try the look for summer in this short-sleeve version, which has golden dome buttons down the front and ribbed trim at the crew neckline, cuffs, and hem.
—Jamie Allison Sanders, People.com, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rib
Noun
For high-quality ribs, catfish and turnip greens, go to the street’s Blues City Cafe.
—Gary Stoller, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Sandoval sells empanadas, costilla de puerco — pork ribs — and other dishes at her sidewalk stand.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2025
Verb
These towels feature a mini-textured waffle weave on one side and ribbed terry on the other.
—Nora Colomer
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 2 May 2025
Try the look for summer in this short-sleeve version, which has golden dome buttons down the front and ribbed trim at the crew neckline, cuffs, and hem.
—Jamie Allison Sanders, People.com, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rib
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rib
Noun
-
The unserious image conveys how much the drama has become a parody of itself.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
27 June 2025
-
When Israel launched its full-scale war against Iran on June 13, the jingoistic Beach Boys parody once again began to make the rounds.—
Hershal Pandya,
Vulture,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
And yet the world is too driven by algorithms, too fragmented in its tastes, to ever be on the same page again and get the same jokes.—
Christopher Borrelli,
Chicago Tribune,
30 June 2025
-
She was raised in a society—a West Indian society—that did not put much of a premium on women’s bodies, where any kind of intimacy was a joke.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
Affectionately, the 35-year-old pop star is not known for setting or chasing trends, instead using fashion to tease new musical eras or evoke a sense of girl-next-door relatability.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
29 June 2025
-
The historic broadcast network began teasing the multiple Emmy winner’s birthday as early as June 13.—
Ronda Racha Penrice,
HollywoodReporter,
28 June 2025
Noun
-
One of Ferrell’s biggest and best movies was this hilarious racing spoof, which followed the rise and fall and rise of a smug champion racer, his complicated friendship with best pal and fellow racer John C. Reilly, and his rivalry with an effete, snotty Frenchman played by Sacha Baron Cohen.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
27 June 2025
-
Just as impressive is Brooks stepping back into the shoes of Yogurt (his merchandising Yoda spoof), just a year away from his hundredth birthday.—
Josh Weiss,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
Noun
-
Friday’s Resident Alien had it all: uproarious laughs, romance, heartbreak and a whole lot of vomit.—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
28 June 2025
-
And in a company which faithfully recreates stiff 18th-century acting conventions, McCormack’s unapologetically sassy Semira was a welcome change of pace, drawing the afternoon’s biggest laughs.—
Hannah Edgar,
Chicago Tribune,
28 June 2025
Verb
-
There may be a welcome change in the global balance of power, as China and Russia recognize that the United States is not kidding.—
Wesley Alexander Hill,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
But internally, no one is kidding themselves or trying to sugarcoat the results.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
24 June 2025
Noun
-
Doing so, Cohn and Duprat return to their hallmark mode of psychological satire, filtered through a customary comedy-drama prism.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
19 June 2025
-
The Office isn’t vicious workplace satire, but this sure is.—
Brian Boone,
Vulture,
18 June 2025
Noun
-
More than 500 of them, in fact, from native whitetail deer to yaks, scimitar oryx, and water buffalo.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Zookeepers welcomed a new yak and now the baby and mama are bonding, Alaska officials said.—
Paloma Chavez,
Sacbee.com,
25 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rib.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rib. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share