1
as in parodies
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 jokes
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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as in kids
to make fun of in a good-natured way
ribbed him a bit about fumbling such an easy play
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ribs
ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
Add 2 medium yellow onions, finely chopped, and 1 medium red bell pepper, ribs and seeds removed, finely chopped, and cook, stirring often with a heatproof rubber spatula or wooden spoon, until vegetables are very soft and deep golden and bottom of pot is starting to brown in spots, 10–15 minutes.
—Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 6 Mar. 2026
The attack stemmed from a long-running dispute over yard debris and resulted in Paul suffering six broken ribs, pneumonia, and having part of a lung removed.
—Dale Denwalt, Oklahoman, 5 Mar. 2026
His sixth and potentially final season came with multiple injuries (calf, ankle, shoulder, ribs), a career-high nine touchdowns, a scoring pass to Christian McCaffrey in the wild-card playoffs, but also seven interceptions among 90 targets.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026
The online menu features pastrami beef ribs, lamb smash burgers, lemon-pepper chicken wings, nduja collard greens and brown butter cornbread.
—Keith Pandolfi, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Mar. 2026
Kruger turned heads in a structural gold gown that featured a sultry sheer panel that went from the side of her ribs, across her stomach, and down her hips.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 3 Mar. 2026
To that end, Petrie-Norris has introduced a bill that would poke the CPUC a bit harder in the ribs.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 1 Mar. 2026
Gently draw your ribs down, engage your abdominals and breathe steadily.
—Dana Santas Feb 28, CNN Money, 28 Feb. 2026
Noun
Some injuries stemmed from fights between detainees, including a man who said he had been kicked in the ear and battered in his ribs.
—ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
Add 2 medium yellow onions, finely chopped, and 1 medium red bell pepper, ribs and seeds removed, finely chopped, and cook, stirring often with a heatproof rubber spatula or wooden spoon, until vegetables are very soft and deep golden and bottom of pot is starting to brown in spots, 10–15 minutes.
—Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 6 Mar. 2026
The attack stemmed from a long-running dispute over yard debris and resulted in Paul suffering six broken ribs, pneumonia, and having part of a lung removed.
—Dale Denwalt, Oklahoman, 5 Mar. 2026
His sixth and potentially final season came with multiple injuries (calf, ankle, shoulder, ribs), a career-high nine touchdowns, a scoring pass to Christian McCaffrey in the wild-card playoffs, but also seven interceptions among 90 targets.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026
The online menu features pastrami beef ribs, lamb smash burgers, lemon-pepper chicken wings, nduja collard greens and brown butter cornbread.
—Keith Pandolfi, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Mar. 2026
Kruger turned heads in a structural gold gown that featured a sultry sheer panel that went from the side of her ribs, across her stomach, and down her hips.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 3 Mar. 2026
To that end, Petrie-Norris has introduced a bill that would poke the CPUC a bit harder in the ribs.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 1 Mar. 2026
Gently draw your ribs down, engage your abdominals and breathe steadily.
—Dana Santas Feb 28, CNN Money, 28 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ribs
Noun
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There have been countless parodies of the mega-viral ad and lots of unofficial merch created in its honor.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Mar. 2026
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How are the parodies recreated?—
Kate Perez,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Colbert did read out several jokes that have been cut during his time on the show, crediting his writing staff for their quips.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
9 Mar. 2026
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Over the years, more than 11,000 inscriptions have been found across the city, ranging from political commentary and love declarations to sporting slogans, jokes, and poems.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Ziegler most recently served as senior vice president and general merchandise manager at Saks Global overseeing multiple women’s and kids categories for Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
20 Feb. 2026
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The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends kids ages 1-3 get 500 milligrams of calcium and 400 international units of vitamin D per day, ages 4-8 get 800 mg of calcium and 600 IU of vitamin D per day, and kids ages 9-17 get 1,300 mg of calcium and 600 IU vitamin D per day.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Way better than dusty game show and dinner party spoofs.—
Andy Hoglund,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Jan. 2026
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What’s Upstairs at the Downstairs is always a patchwork of mild satire, blatant spoofs, witty music, local jokes.—
Laird Borrelli-Persson,
Vogue,
21 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Strangely, Bailey-Brown laughs at the accusation.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
4 Mar. 2026
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Vinny will bring the laughs, as the TV personality turned stand-up comedian goes on tour and organizes a celebratory roast for his castmates.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Dunkin' teases more ways to celebrate are coming later this month.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
4 Mar. 2026
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The trailer teases a mix of comedy and emotional reckoning as the couple navigates resentment, vulnerability and shifting control while racing to restore Lindy to her regular size.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The dish gets all of its flavor from a rice mixture containing onions, peppers, tomatoes, and bacon that roasts in the pan alongside the chicken.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
19 Feb. 2026
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Tiny’s Milk & Cookies roasts all of its own coffee with beans sourced from around the world, including Ethiopia, Costa Rica and Brazil.—
Lily O'Neill,
San Antonio Express-News,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ribs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ribs. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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