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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in kids
to make fun of in a good-natured way
ribbed him a bit about fumbling such an easy play
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ribs
Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 May 2026
For true Wisconsin hospitality, their Friday Fish Fry and slow-cooked ribs on Thursday put on a show.
—Sarah Miller, Midwest Living, 29 Apr. 2026
According to local outlet Listin Diario, Bonilla had undergone surgery to have rods and screws inserted into her back after a tumor was removed, though one screw allegedly pierced her spinal cord, leaving her immobilized from the ribs down.
—Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
The picture shows a generous spread of sliced pork, brisket, ribs, sausage and more, containers of greens, slaw, and mac and cheese, plus trays of okra and cornbread.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026
Sousa-Martins was struck twice, in his thigh and his ribs, according to court documents.
—Lily Carey, Baltimore Sun, 27 Apr. 2026
Rushed to a hospital, he was treated for another concussion and bruised ribs.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
With the Dodgers leading 3-0 in the top of the sixth on Thursday, Webb fired a four-seam fastball into Rushing’s ribs.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
Located at the Seaport Hotel, the specialty at Reef Restaurant and Coffee Shop is Jack Daniel ribs.
—Sarah Sekula, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
Expect wagyu brisket, lemon-zested ribs and rubs with hints of curry or tandoori.
—Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 May 2026
For true Wisconsin hospitality, their Friday Fish Fry and slow-cooked ribs on Thursday put on a show.
—Sarah Miller, Midwest Living, 29 Apr. 2026
According to local outlet Listin Diario, Bonilla had undergone surgery to have rods and screws inserted into her back after a tumor was removed, though one screw allegedly pierced her spinal cord, leaving her immobilized from the ribs down.
—Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
The picture shows a generous spread of sliced pork, brisket, ribs, sausage and more, containers of greens, slaw, and mac and cheese, plus trays of okra and cornbread.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026
Sousa-Martins was struck twice, in his thigh and his ribs, according to court documents.
—Lily Carey, Baltimore Sun, 27 Apr. 2026
Rushed to a hospital, he was treated for another concussion and bruised ribs.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
With the Dodgers leading 3-0 in the top of the sixth on Thursday, Webb fired a four-seam fastball into Rushing’s ribs.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
Located at the Seaport Hotel, the specialty at Reef Restaurant and Coffee Shop is Jack Daniel ribs.
—Sarah Sekula, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ribs
Noun
-
Broadway, top-heavy with musical parodies and attention-grabbing revivals, is having a strange season by all accounts.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
-
While the show featured many of the same characters, its format strayed from the sci-fi space narrative of Spaceballs and instead was a series of parodies, each episode serving as a satirical commentary on several contemporary hits, such as Lord of the Rings, American Idol and Harry Potter.—
Maddie Garfinkle,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Martin gets some jokes about it, more from older generations than teammates or opponents.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
5 May 2026
-
Commenters respond to the post As always, commenters were quick to jump on the opportunity to make jokes – in this case, about Kennedy's storied past with animals, especially of the wild persuasion.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Young Michael may have seemed strange, or just plain different, to kids his own age, but what about the adult Michael, whose professional life took him outside the family orbit and into offices, studios, and night clubs?—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
23 Apr. 2026
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Both kids cheer and bite into their burgers.—
Fortesa Latifi,
Rolling Stone,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The success of more straightforward spoofs such as Schaffer’s The Naked Gun last year is also reassuring; that film was a classic joke-a-minute throwback that largely worked (for both viewers and critics), more in line with the sort of fare that the Lonely Island made early on.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
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Retro Rewind players run a Blockbuster Video-like movie-rental store set in the early 1990s, complete with spoofs of real blockbusters of the era.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But Jim Parsons and Layton Williams all but run away with the evening, finding diabolical laughs as Rose’s helicopter mom and a Tina Turner-esque iceberg.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
3 May 2026
-
Boston Tea Party joke The monarch also drew laughs with tongue-in-cheek references to American history.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Based on the bestseller from author Colleen Hoover, Johnson stars in the film adaptation that teases lingering secrets and a dark sinister mystery awaiting to be solved.—
Lexy Perez,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Apr. 2026
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The video not only teases the studio’s upcoming films and highlights the talent who have signed deals, but also reflects on the Paramount lot’s 100th anniversary.—
Rebecca Ford,
Vanity Fair,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In past years, the association president has been followed by the commander-in-chief, and then a headliner, usually a comedian who roasts everyone in the room.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
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The cafe roasts its coffee beans on-site and excels at classics, including French toast and egg sandwiches.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ribs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ribs. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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