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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Recent Examples of riff
Marinara, pesto, carbonara, alfredo (especially this cottage cheese riff!), and more are all invited to my pasta party frequently—and devoured with an equal amount of gusto.
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Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2025
Platonic’s first season stacks the deck with cues pointing toward the most obvious direction for this story: a West Coast streaming riff on When Harry Met Sally, complete with characters pontificating as to whether (straight) men and women can ever just be friends.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 31 July 2025
Musicians and audio engineers came and went, and Mikaela would sit on the couch behind them, imitating their riffs and vocal exercises.
—Holden Seidlitz, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2025
The final menu is still in development, but McCabe says guests can definitely expect to find a few French toast riffs and an M. Peppers take on poutine.
—Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for riff
Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2025
Platonic’s first season stacks the deck with cues pointing toward the most obvious direction for this story: a West Coast streaming riff on When Harry Met Sally, complete with characters pontificating as to whether (straight) men and women can ever just be friends.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 31 July 2025
Musicians and audio engineers came and went, and Mikaela would sit on the couch behind them, imitating their riffs and vocal exercises.
—Holden Seidlitz, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2025
The final menu is still in development, but McCabe says guests can definitely expect to find a few French toast riffs and an M. Peppers take on poutine.
—Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for riff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riff
Noun
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Highest 2 Lowest — which is a modern-day interpretation of iconic director Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 crime thriller High and Low — is opening in 300 theaters in what appears to be more of a run to qualify for awards season.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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For example, the plan prioritizes a narrow interpretation of national security without addressing critical ethical needs such as the protection of vulnerable populations, children, neurodivergent individuals and minorities — issues that the European Union AI Act addresses.—
Mohammad Hosseini,
Twin Cities,
10 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The chain will also roll out two new variations of potato chips.—
Logan Holland,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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Intersex people have variations in chromosomes, hormone levels or anatomy that differ from what’s considered typical for male and female bodies.—
Lisa Song,
ProPublica,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The Ramayana has hundreds of versions — across states, dialects, castes.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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Speaking with the Free Press in 2021, when a remastered version of the video was released, Reeves recalled the group’s early morning shoot at the assembly plant, now known as the Rouge complex.—
Brian McCollum,
Freep.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Riff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riff. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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