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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Smoky paperbark-roasted fish is served with sugarloaf, potatoes and kelp, a theatrical fresh take on a classic campfire supper, while the prawn sandwich is a wonderful interpretation of the Aussie favorite, made with brioche and avocado.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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And what do the fates of these men say about how and through whom the show defines audacity — a word that has two different interpretations and uses?—
Abbey White,
HollywoodReporter,
2 June 2026
Noun
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In most Cucuteni-Trypillia settlements, mega-sites appear to be well-planned and systematically arranged, with occasional size variations among the houses.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
30 May 2026
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Unfortunately, her chic version is sold out, but other variations start at just $55.—
Ruby McAuliffe,
InStyle,
30 May 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 6 Jun. 2026.
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