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
Brianne Tracy, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
This season alone, Elaine Hendrix suffered a rib injury that momentarily took her out of the competition, and pro Daniella Karagach executed a move in rehearsal that wound up breaking her partner Dylan Efron's nose.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Nov. 2025
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
Elaine Hendrix Is Set to Return After Injury Elaine is expected to make her return to the ballroom after having to miss last week's show due to a rib injury for which she was rushed to the hospital.
—Brianne Tracy, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
This season alone, Elaine Hendrix suffered a rib injury that momentarily took her out of the competition, and pro Daniella Karagach executed a move in rehearsal that wound up breaking her partner Dylan Efron's nose.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Nov. 2025
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 second posting of the parody quickly received 500,000 views and once again caught Wendy’s attention.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
5 Nov. 2025
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The inspirations for the Love Connection parody were Miami Vice's Tubbs and Crockett, though Hall acknowledged her most immediate lookalike.—
Lex Goldstein,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The comedy is a tonal mess, veering between underdeveloped jokes and unearned sentiment.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Nov. 2025
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How did Joy nearly die in the wilderness of Colorado, a place that, in a joke the film keeps repeating, is almost all white people?—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Since then, Phlur has debuted another new body mist, Cashmere Skin, and teased a new Afterglow Eau de Parfum to launch before the end of the year.—
Noor Lobad,
Footwear News,
11 Nov. 2025
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Said Stanton, who wrote the screenplay for the original pic and won Animated Feature Oscars for directing Finding Nemo and Wall-E, and Harris did tease more in today’s press release announcing the trailer.—
Patrick Hipes,
Deadline,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The film is a spoof on the franchise Downton Abbey and Laird stars opposite Thomasin McKenzie, Damian Lewis and Katherine Waterson.—
Diana Lodderhose,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
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Released in 2000, the first of the Wayans brothers’ Scary Movie franchise parodied popular horror, including Faris’ memorable spoof of Drew Barrymore’s Scream opener.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
3 Nov. 2025
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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Self was in a joking mood when asked about the squad’s stellar defensive play.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
29 Oct. 2025
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Jones eventually got into his joking bag, and Bleek took that opportunity to seriously set the record straight one last time.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rib.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rib. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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