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
Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
One of the dogs was so thin that its spine, hips and ribs were easily visible, according to the report.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
The eatery operated as Saturdays-only food truck based in Redwood City for about a year and, before that, as a weekly pop-up bringing dishes like ribs, brisket, sausage and sides to hungry customers.
—Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
This year my brother smoked a pork butt and ribs.
—Gwen Faulkenberry, Arkansas Online, 8 Jan. 2026
Popular menu items include pork sliders, carnitas nachos, the Cuban sandwich, and the pork belly burnt ends sandwich and plate, as well as ribs, mac and cheese, and an assortment of pizzas.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Leave it to your trusty slow-cooker to make juicy, extra tender ribs.
—Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 8 Jan. 2026
Today's Menu 🍔 A lawsuit says McDonald's McRib sandwich isn't actually made from ribs.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Pull up, bringing elbows close to ribs.
—Gretchen Reynolds, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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.
—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.—
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Each of the first three episodes takes place in a different decade and parodies a different generational style of sitcom.—
Noun
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Yes, as it is said, some jokes just write themselves.—
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Performers have been reprimanded for making racist, sexist and homophobic jokes during shows in the late 1990s and 2000s, according to Westword, and Stock Show officials were quick to apologize.—
Verb
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There’s an adults-only section and a large, warm pool that kids love.—
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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.—
Noun
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What’s Upstairs at the Downstairs is always a patchwork of mild satire, blatant spoofs, witty music, local jokes.—
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Although, Kimmel acknowledged, Washington technically could have picked either Guillermo, as his sidekick also starred alongside Washington in a series of Scandal spoofs called Escandalo that were featured on the late-night show back in 2014.—
Noun
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Not all of the jokes work, but even the grumpiest theatergoers will find plenty of laughs.—
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But the comedians also used those laughs to reveal the fundamental absurdity of violence and conflict.—
Verb
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My family always teases me about it.—
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Now, the doctor is back for the sophomore season after a brief stint in rehab, and Ball, 36, teases that viewers will see a new side of him.—
Verb
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Season roasts with pepper and place on prepared wire rack.—
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The shop roasts their own beans in house, which makes your latte or specialty coffee drink that much better.—
Cite this Entry
“Ribs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ribs. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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