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
Bernie Pleskoff,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2026
In Texas, appreciating the process of patriotism Rodney Ellis will celebrate at picnics around his precinct in Houston with barbecue pork ribs and ice tea, and a heaping helping of worry about the nation's future.
—
Susan Bence,
NPR,
4 July 2026
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
17 June 2026
Choose from waffle, ribbed terry, luxe styles and more for elevated relaxation.
—
ABC News,
13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rib
Noun
The Yankees are also playing without All World All Star Aaron Judge (ribs stress fracture) and slugger Giancarlo Stanton (strained calf).
—
Bernie Pleskoff,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2026
In Texas, appreciating the process of patriotism Rodney Ellis will celebrate at picnics around his precinct in Houston with barbecue pork ribs and ice tea, and a heaping helping of worry about the nation's future.
—
Susan Bence,
NPR,
4 July 2026
Verb
Both Nanjiani’s castmates, and Davies and Horne, ribbed him as a famous Hollywood interloper on their little show, and that label stuck in a way that seemed to limit his gameplay and constrain the show’s own sense of humor.
—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
17 June 2026
Choose from waffle, ribbed terry, luxe styles and more for elevated relaxation.
—
ABC News,
13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rib
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rib
Noun
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Scary Movie paved the way for more big-screen parodies, including Date Movie (2006), Epic Movie (2007), and Meet the Spartans (2008).
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Their outmoded style, with its seriousness and corniness, its big acting choices and low budgets, is basically impossible to recreate without falling into parody.
Noun
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The problem is, having our President butt in here was a joke.
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The two constants in the show, tap-dancing and short ridiculous jokes, start to have the same rhythms and sharp bam-bam-bam impact.
Verb
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While the flagship movie franchise is coming to an end, Diesel previously teased that NBCUniversal has four TV shows in development from the Fast & Furious world.
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The featurette teases Zada as Haymitch, with scenes ranging from the literal sunrise on his Reaping Day to Capitol interviews to the Games itself.
Noun
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The goofy sketch comedies and homemade spoofs that once filled his channel gradually disappeared, replaced by melancholy short films and bleak monologues.
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But given the current box office sensations of Obsession and Backrooms, Tiddes certainly wishes the timing had allowed for spoofs of those horror movies.
Noun
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Fox Sports cameras showed Swift sharing a laugh with Kelce’s mother, Donna Kelce, in a suite.
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Davidson cowrote each episode, providing plenty of laughs and adding an extra bounce to the show’s hopeful ending.
Verb
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If there was any skepticism due to the level of competition Moss faced in college, don’t kid yourself.
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Just kidding, but seeing Angela’s team sweep Shamea’s at the Bailey Bowl basketball tournament was almost as satisfying as knowing Charles got to witness his former team’s historic win in person.
Noun
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Beneath its gleeful barrage of kink, karaoke, and absurdist comedy lies a sharp satire of exclusion, identity, and liberation within contemporary Queer culture.
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After the White House initially defended the post as satire, the video in question was deleted after a backlash including from some Republicans.
Noun
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Oh, but the Padres manager was ready with the joking last night.
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Still, Yoon’s joking somehow lightens the mood.
Cite this Entry
“Rib.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rib. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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