ribs 1 of 2

noun

plural of rib
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

ribs

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of rib
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ribs
Noun
Kirbee’s, a Texas barbecue joint from Goldee’s BBQ co-founder Jonny White and pitmaster Chuck Charnichart, is launching in Brooklyn, New York, serving brisket, ribs and Charnichart’s signature green spaghetti. — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Aug. 2026 The other distinction was that the handle was now made of a zinc alloy and was cast with parallel ribs in concentric rings. — David Szondy august 30, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026 The crash broke more than a dozen ribs, punctured her lungs and left her with spinal cord injuries that left her in a wheelchair. — Joshua Goodman, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026 Tips for safe cat weight loss Feel for the ribs and look for a visible waist instead of relying on weight alone. — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 Ferrer suffered multiple fractured ribs, a fracture to his right shoulder and other injuries. — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026 To gauge correctly, people can place a measuring tape around the abdomen, between the bottom of the ribs and the top of the hip bones, keeping the tape level and snug but not compressing the skin. — Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026 In November 2025, Palmer reported suffering injuries to his ribs and abdomen while performing martial arts training at the police department’s training center, the arrest warrant affidavit said. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026 Kurtis Rourke did not play after sustaining fractured ribs in last Thursday’s start. — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ribs
  1. parodies
  2. jokes
  3. kids
  4. spoofs
  5. laughs
  6. teases
  7. roasts
Noun
  • MacDonald and editor Phil Hignett have a keen, witty sense of how the online realm crashes offline living, seamlessly integrating deadly-accurate TikTok parodies into the film’s breezy narrative flow.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The internet quickly responded to the viral moment with reactions and parodies.
    — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of parodies
Noun
  • There was nothing particularly novel about the show’s premise, but the scripts were refreshingly dense with jokes, prioritizing laughs over contrived drama or seasonlong relationship arcs.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The order, which directs federal officials to formalize the name change within 30 days, quickly sparked backlash, jokes and parody proposals.
    — Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of jokes
Verb
  • What everyday skills should kids practice before the first week of school?
    — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Running under the surface of the film is the anxiety that kids his age are lucky to secure any job, even one as low-paying and exploitative as Erika’s studio assistant.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of kids
Noun
  • It's been a great couple of years for horror movies, which means that the time was right for the return of horror spoofs.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The goofy sketch comedies and homemade spoofs that once filled his channel gradually disappeared, replaced by melancholy short films and bleak monologues.
    — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2026
Definition of spoofs
Noun
  • There was nothing particularly novel about the show’s premise, but the scripts were refreshingly dense with jokes, prioritizing laughs over contrived drama or seasonlong relationship arcs.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The series remains perpetually glum, refusing to project any light behind a conceit begging for a few laughs.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of laughs
Verb
  • The trailer also teases additional confrontation between Jen Affleck and Whitney Leavitt, the latter of whom is leaving the series after Season 5.
    — Katie Campione, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Trump teases Karoline Leavitt replacement Why is Karoline Leavitt leaving the White House?
    — Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of teases
Verb
  • The kitchen’s electrical oven roasts them during the daytime; they’re then chilled and served cold, with hot sauce, a ramekin of mayonnaise, and a pile of pickle spears.
    — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Sacramento will benefit from a wonderful Delta breeze Monday afternoon with highs in the mid-90s, while Fresno roasts back to near 110 degrees.
    — Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of roasts

Browse Nearby Words

ribbons
ribs
rich
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Cite this Entry

“Ribs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ribs. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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