as in interpretation
a distinct treatment of something (as a story or a play)
a mock news program with humorous riffs on current events
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of riff
Originally tucked away on Yellow Submarine, Stamey allows this back-to-basics rock number to shine on Modernism with its signature riff.
—
David Harris,
SPIN,
22 June 2026
Its asymmetrical riff on the classic bucket hat takes the usual cut up a notch.
—
Gretta Monahan,
Boston Herald,
18 June 2026
Expect riffs on the Persian frittata kuku sabzi, a variant of the toad in the hole involving shakshuka, plus sabich reconceived in bagel form.
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Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
15 June 2026
At at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, a radiant, tropical riff on Brazil’s iconic Caipirinha, the Yellow Card blends Reyka Vodka with Leblon Cachaça for a smooth yet lively base layered with Chinola mango liqueur, fresh lime, and raw sugar.
—
Aly Walansky,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for riff
David Harris,
SPIN,
22 June 2026
Its asymmetrical riff on the classic bucket hat takes the usual cut up a notch.
—
Gretta Monahan,
Boston Herald,
18 June 2026
Expect riffs on the Persian frittata kuku sabzi, a variant of the toad in the hole involving shakshuka, plus sabich reconceived in bagel form.
—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
15 June 2026
At at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, a radiant, tropical riff on Brazil’s iconic Caipirinha, the Yellow Card blends Reyka Vodka with Leblon Cachaça for a smooth yet lively base layered with Chinola mango liqueur, fresh lime, and raw sugar.
—
Aly Walansky,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for riff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riff
Noun
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Altitude can also produce meaningfully different interpretations of the grape—higher sites can create wines that are more mineral and tense, while other locations yield softer and more fragrant expressions.
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The skinny trouser re-emerged at Dior and Junya Watanabe, styled with larger proportions on top for a fresh interpretation of the silhouette.
Noun
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The other was some variation of this one — in fact, it’s been this exact one from the time a good friend, Larry Dorman, pushed for me, and the great Sun Sentinel sports editor Fred Turner called me in the Candlestick Stadium press box in San Francisco at the 1989 World Series.
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Beginning with the last World Cup in Qatar, though, Panini also began producing variations with special borders that are much more scarce.
Noun
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The letter does not include permission for Anthropic to release Fable, a less powerful version of Mythos.
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This mini version is an iteration of the ‘90s styles spotted on Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, Gwyneth Paltrow, and is modeled in this era by the likes of Ayo Edebiri and Nicola Coughlan.
Cite this Entry
“Riff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riff. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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