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
Dana Santas, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
Further scans revealed that Learmont’s cancer had also spread to his collarbones, ribs, and sternum.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
The most durable material used to make an umbrella is polyester canvas that is coated with UV ray-blocking Teflon and features fiberglass ribs to protect the user from several weather conditions.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
Arrange ribs in shallow bowls, over mashed potatoes if desired, and spoon sauce over.
—Jenny Rosenstrach, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Apr. 2026
The ribs were discarded during the inspection.
—Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Keep the movement coming from your ribs, rotating, not by yanking your neck.
—Jakob Roze, Health, 1 Apr. 2026
The game was tied with one out in the fifth when Jose Altuve singled before Garrett Crochet (1-1) hit Yordan Alvarez in the ribs with a pitch.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
The star made a bold entrance in a plunging orange-red strapless dress that featured sculpted ruching along the front of her bodice and dipped all the way down to her ribs.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
On the exhale, draw those ribs in, back and down, allowing the diaphragm to dome up inside the rib cage.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
Further scans revealed that Learmont’s cancer had also spread to his collarbones, ribs, and sternum.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
The most durable material used to make an umbrella is polyester canvas that is coated with UV ray-blocking Teflon and features fiberglass ribs to protect the user from several weather conditions.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
Arrange ribs in shallow bowls, over mashed potatoes if desired, and spoon sauce over.
—Jenny Rosenstrach, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Apr. 2026
The ribs were discarded during the inspection.
—Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Keep the movement coming from your ribs, rotating, not by yanking your neck.
—Jakob Roze, Health, 1 Apr. 2026
The game was tied with one out in the fifth when Jose Altuve singled before Garrett Crochet (1-1) hit Yordan Alvarez in the ribs with a pitch.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
The star made a bold entrance in a plunging orange-red strapless dress that featured sculpted ruching along the front of her bodice and dipped all the way down to her ribs.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 1 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ribs
Noun
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How did Jane Lynch wind up in the YouTube ad parodies?—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Countless memes and parodies have circulated online.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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TikTok Reacts Viewers flooded the comments with theories and jokes.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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On social media, make jokes that don’t follow logic or build toward a punch line, but rather rely on jump cuts and endless captions.—
Emily Menez,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As previously mentioned, Meevee targets a preschool audience — specifically kids two to six — pretty much the only ages parents can (and should) be in sole control of their children’s screen time anyway.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Apr. 2026
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Ziegler most recently served as senior vice president and general merchandise manager at Saks Global overseeing multiple women’s and kids categories for Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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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
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Way better than dusty game show and dinner party spoofs.—
Andy Hoglund,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The guys hit a Foxwoods, get some laughs, and skip back home.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
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Styled like a hyper-sexualized Powerpuff Girl, Cherry is responsible for many of the film’s biggest laughs — and some of its strangest tonal misfires.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Gillespie teases another scene in the film involving Corenswet's character and the arrival of Supergirl on Earth.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Mar. 2026
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The trailer then shows Hagrid explaining the Wizarding World to Harry and teases some information about his deceased parents.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And one of the big additions to the braise is asking a butcher for lamb bones and fat that Croft roasts off to add another layer of flavor and richness to the braise.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
28 Mar. 2026
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From there, arrangements need to be made, and Ed takes up the task with noble gravitas until Ann roasts him to a crisp in that library.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ribs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ribs. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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