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
Fans of spritz cocktails will love the Bubbly Bon Voyage, a refreshing tall drink with notes of vanilla and passion fruit, while the Cast Off is a simple riff on the classic Champagne cocktail featuring Flor de Caña rum, honey and lime juice.
—
Claudia Alarcón, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
His movies are goofs, larks, stunts, knowingly arch bizarro-world riffs.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 18 May 2026
The two, particularly Lennon, riff on love, their relationship, creativity, life after the Beatles, raising their toddler son, writing songs in bed and much more.
—ABC News, 16 May 2026
After the 1990 death of Mother Love Bone frontman Andrew Wood, guitarist Stone Gossard and bassist Jeff Ament started putting together a new band and recording Gossard’s latest riffs in Seattle.
—Al Shipley, SPIN, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for riff
Claudia Alarcón, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
His movies are goofs, larks, stunts, knowingly arch bizarro-world riffs.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 18 May 2026
The two, particularly Lennon, riff on love, their relationship, creativity, life after the Beatles, raising their toddler son, writing songs in bed and much more.
—ABC News, 16 May 2026
After the 1990 death of Mother Love Bone frontman Andrew Wood, guitarist Stone Gossard and bassist Jeff Ament started putting together a new band and recording Gossard’s latest riffs in Seattle.
—Al Shipley, SPIN, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for riff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riff
Noun
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In correspondence discouraging districts’ diversity programs, the administration has repeatedly cited a broad interpretation of the Supreme Court’s ruling on affirmative action, which prevented colleges and universities from directly considering race in admissions.—
Annie Ma,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
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Microdistiller Jackie Summers’ Sorel Liqueur — a modern interpretation of the Red Drink — adds its rich blend of hibiscus, clove, cinnamon and nutmeg to the Lake Breeze.—
Kate Bradshaw,
Mercury News,
9 June 2026
Noun
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This copy number variation correlates directly with salivary amylase protein levels — more copies, more enzyme, more starch-digesting capacity.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
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Pale Gray and Ivory Select a soft white and a soft gray with just a subtle visual variation for a low-contrast, high-style space.—
Lauren Jones,
The Spruce,
6 June 2026
Noun
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There is no version of this where producers absorb tens of billions of dollars in new liability and don’t pass it on.—
Yaël Ossowski,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
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The delivery system for injectable versions of weight loss drugs is more complicated than for a pill.—
Maia Rosenfeld,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Riff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riff. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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