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
When done well, those moments can be as important to the world of an album as the riffs and blast beats.
—
Brad Sanders, Pitchfork, 8 June 2026
Easy and elegant, this rolled riff on pavlova is filled with strawberries and berry-rhubarb jam.
—Victoria Spencer, Martha Stewart, 8 June 2026
Carl started as a riff on actor Patrick Warburton.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 4 June 2026
At Straight Wharf Fish, a riff on the classic clam shack set on Nantucket Harbor, the real draw is scallop season.
—Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for riff
Brad Sanders, Pitchfork, 8 June 2026
Easy and elegant, this rolled riff on pavlova is filled with strawberries and berry-rhubarb jam.
—Victoria Spencer, Martha Stewart, 8 June 2026
Carl started as a riff on actor Patrick Warburton.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 4 June 2026
At Straight Wharf Fish, a riff on the classic clam shack set on Nantucket Harbor, the real draw is scallop season.
—Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for riff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riff
Noun
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Williams, who was sponsored by Puma at the time, wore an interpretation of the shirt at the French Open that year, complete with long, football-style yellow socks.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
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The Dior store, located at 650 West 41st Avenue, has an exterior with a distinctive, elegant white marble facade in six finishes, which is enhanced by a graphic interpretation of cannage.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
16 June 2026
Noun
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The expensive physical variations will be handed over to the iPhone Ultra.—
Ewan Spence,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
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The Sea Salt variation features a two-tone upper which is contrasted with bright pink panel edges.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
13 June 2026
Noun
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The son of Nigerian parents born in New York but raised in England was something of a free agent, and even after playing for the US Under-18 team, could have gone into the international soccer version of the transfer portal.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
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The researchers were curious whether the photon might be able to destroy the past version of itself—akin to a person traveling back in time to kill their grandfather, thus preventing themselves from ever being born.—
Clara Moskowitz,
Scientific American,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Riff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riff. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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