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
Sara Hansen, Denver Post, 23 Jan. 2026
The Heat was again without a chunk of its rotation on Thursday, missing two starters in guards Davion Mitchell (left shoulder contusion) and Tyler Herro (right costochondral injury to the ribs), and one of its top reserves in center Kel’el Ware (right hamstring strain).
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
During former President Barack Obama’s visit to Kansas City in 2014, a takeout order for about $1,400 worth of ribs, pork, sausage, and side dishes was packed up and shipped out on Air Force One.
—Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2026
The Strip in the heart of the Valley is a must for late-night ‘liming’, with open-air BBQ at Ken’s (order the ribs and garlic bread) followed by dancing at Willy’s Bar.
—Alex Postman, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
Of course, Kelly is also known for hitting Dodger Hanley Ramirez in the ribs with a pitch, which pretty much ended the Dodgers’ postseason.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
The squeeze fractured two ribs.
—Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Jan. 2026
Johnnie Brown's A longtime Atlantic Avenue staple, this open-air spot serves classic American grill fare—think burgers, wings, and ribs—alongside beer, cocktails, and live rock performances.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 21 Jan. 2026
The 41-year-old suffered a broken pelvis and sustained fractures to both femurs and three ribs, as well as a compound fracture to his right shin.
—Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
Noun
Look for visible ribs or bones.
—Sara Hansen, Denver Post, 23 Jan. 2026
The Heat was again without a chunk of its rotation on Thursday, missing two starters in guards Davion Mitchell (left shoulder contusion) and Tyler Herro (right costochondral injury to the ribs), and one of its top reserves in center Kel’el Ware (right hamstring strain).
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
During former President Barack Obama’s visit to Kansas City in 2014, a takeout order for about $1,400 worth of ribs, pork, sausage, and side dishes was packed up and shipped out on Air Force One.
—Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2026
The Strip in the heart of the Valley is a must for late-night ‘liming’, with open-air BBQ at Ken’s (order the ribs and garlic bread) followed by dancing at Willy’s Bar.
—Alex Postman, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
Of course, Kelly is also known for hitting Dodger Hanley Ramirez in the ribs with a pitch, which pretty much ended the Dodgers’ postseason.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
The squeeze fractured two ribs.
—Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Jan. 2026
Johnnie Brown's A longtime Atlantic Avenue staple, this open-air spot serves classic American grill fare—think burgers, wings, and ribs—alongside beer, cocktails, and live rock performances.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 21 Jan. 2026
The 41-year-old suffered a broken pelvis and sustained fractures to both femurs and three ribs, as well as a compound fracture to his right shin.
—Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ribs
Noun
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O'Brien then recalled his time on The Harvard Lampoon, his alma mater's humor publication also known for its parodies of magazines.—
Brenton Blanchet,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
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Each of the first three episodes takes place in a different decade and parodies a different generational style of sitcom.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Williams plays his colleague Gaby, best friend to his dead wife and a ball of passion and dirty jokes.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
26 Jan. 2026
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That’s a compliment, of course, as these are very, very funny jokes.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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There’s an adults-only section and a large, warm pool that kids love.—
Graham Averill,
Outside,
12 Dec. 2025
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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
Noun
-
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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Not all of the jokes work, but even the grumpiest theatergoers will find plenty of laughs.—
Ross Raihala,
Twin Cities,
7 Jan. 2026
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But the comedians also used those laughs to reveal the fundamental absurdity of violence and conflict.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Zamiri teases, knowing full well that Chalamet’s latest stunts — including shouting from the top of the Sphere in Las Vegas and coordinating ping-pong orange outfits with his mother and girlfriend, Kylie Jenner, on the red carpet — have been seen by everyone.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
22 Jan. 2026
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The footage teases a time jump following the events of Season 2, with the show moving beyond a high school setting.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Hatchet Coffee also roasts in-house, or pop into Drip Coffee Bar for a house coffee and a quick bite.—
Jennifer Prince,
Southern Living,
22 Jan. 2026
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Season roasts with pepper and place on prepared wire rack.—
Susan Selasky,
Freep.com,
19 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ribs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ribs. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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