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
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
Breathing deeply remains difficult, though she was relieved the ribs were not worse.
—Derek Gatopoulos, Twin Cities, 10 Feb. 2026
But the real star of the platter was the ribs.
—Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 8 Feb. 2026
Elsewhere, The Barn, which opens onto parkland, is earthy, jolly, and informal – blazing stone fireplace in winter, open to the elements and spilling out into the parkland-facing terrace in summer – and has laid-back brasserie-style menus (veggie burgers, chateaubriand, ribs, chicken pie et al).
—Lydia Bell, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Feb. 2026
He's got 11 fractures of his ribs.
—Ashley Hume , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 7 Feb. 2026
The shot to her stomach damaged her colon and spleen and shattered several ribs.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Jacksonville food lovers only have a couple of months left to enjoy Bahama Breeze’s signature coconut shrimp, jerk chicken pasta, chicken kabobs and ribs with guava barbecue sauce.
—Doris Alvarez Cea, Florida Times-Union, 4 Feb. 2026
According to the arrest report, the responding officer noted that the bone structure of all three dogs was clearly visible, including their ribs, spine, and midsection.
—Nikiya Carrero, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
Noun
With guards Tyler Herro (ribs), Pelle Larsson (right forearm strain) and Powell (low back tightness) among those again out for the Heat on Wednesday against the Pelicans, Jakucionis’ opportunity to play amid the team’s injury issues will continue.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
Breathing deeply remains difficult, though she was relieved the ribs were not worse.
—Derek Gatopoulos, Twin Cities, 10 Feb. 2026
But the real star of the platter was the ribs.
—Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 8 Feb. 2026
Elsewhere, The Barn, which opens onto parkland, is earthy, jolly, and informal – blazing stone fireplace in winter, open to the elements and spilling out into the parkland-facing terrace in summer – and has laid-back brasserie-style menus (veggie burgers, chateaubriand, ribs, chicken pie et al).
—Lydia Bell, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Feb. 2026
He's got 11 fractures of his ribs.
—Ashley Hume , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 7 Feb. 2026
The shot to her stomach damaged her colon and spleen and shattered several ribs.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Jacksonville food lovers only have a couple of months left to enjoy Bahama Breeze’s signature coconut shrimp, jerk chicken pasta, chicken kabobs and ribs with guava barbecue sauce.
—Doris Alvarez Cea, Florida Times-Union, 4 Feb. 2026
According to the arrest report, the responding officer noted that the bone structure of all three dogs was clearly visible, including their ribs, spine, and midsection.
—Nikiya Carrero, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ribs
Noun
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The films remained popular throughout the early 1940s, and their impact persevered via reruns, rereleases, and even parodies, such as Eddie Murphy's not-so-little Buckwheat on Saturday Night Live.—
Andrew Walsh,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Jan. 2026
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O’Hara’s celebrity parodies for SCTV included Brooke Shields, Lucille Ball, Elizabeth Taylor, Katherine Hepburn, Morgan Fairchild and gossip columnist Rona Barrett.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Gross-out jokes don’t always play well for a broad crowd that often includes families and kids.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Melania also recently made headlines in a new way when distributor Amazon MGM asked a theater in Oregon to stop screening the film due to some viral jokes on its marquee.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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
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There’s an adults-only section and a large, warm pool that kids love.—
Graham Averill,
Outside,
12 Dec. 2025
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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His teams won five College World Series titles — three at Fullerton and two at Texas — and left an enduring impact of triumph with some stumbles and plenty of laughs along the way.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
6 Feb. 2026
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There are plenty of laughs along the way, but the most powerful moment lands midway through the show.—
Ross Raihala,
Twin Cities,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As his feelings for Sophie deepen, the trailer teases rising tension around class, identity and loyalty, forcing Benedict to confront whether love can truly exist outside the rigid expectations of the Ton.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
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Mykhailova teases him about being so much older than the other students in the program.—
Natalie Yahr,
jsonline.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The chicken roasts up tender with a crisp golden skin, while the sauce brings a sweet-tangy balance from chili sauce, brown sugar, and sherry.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
2 Feb. 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 15 Feb. 2026.
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