Thesaurus results for RIFF

riff

noun

ˈrif

Definition of riff

as in interpretation

a distinct treatment of something (as a story or a play) a mock news program with humorous riffs on current events

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of riff No, the pasta salad recipe everyone’s looking for is actually a fun riff on another Southern dish. — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 10 July 2026 These sentences are part of a four-plus-page descriptive riff, one of many passages that lend the novel a teeming, avid opacity. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 9 July 2026 But save room for some new riffs on pork that appear in 2026, including the Porky Pileup at the Stockman’s Inn for $15. — Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register, 9 July 2026 The song is another certified banger with a classic Richards riff. — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for riff

Recent Examples of Synonyms for riff

Noun

The company managed to drastically ramp up its production process and produce all 200 hours of interpretations in a span of two months.

— Brian Welk, IndieWire, 20 July 2026
Similarly, Germany's goal versus Paraguay was overturned by VAR's interpretation of an obstruction rule, sparking debate over human judgment rather than factual data.

— Renana Ashkenazi, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Definition of interpretation

Noun

Data center power infrastructure provider Dimaag, for example, presented in April a way to protect the grid from AI’s massive load variations, which can switch from almost nothing to hundreds of megawatts and back again several times per second.

— Drew Robb, IEEE Spectrum, 16 July 2026
The oldest depiction of a dragon-like beast dates back at least 4,000 years, and variations of the mythical creature cross cultures and oceans, appearing in ancient Europe, China, and Mesoamerica.

— Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 15 July 2026

Definition of variation

Noun

However, the role was most famously played by actor John Travolta in the 2007 version of the film.

— Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2026
Other favorites include the Mark Cuban, the Weinberger Reuben, and other Italian-style sub sandwiches that also come in Americanized versions, like Northeastern and Midwest-style sub sandwiches.

— Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2026

Definition of version

Browse Nearby Words

rife

riff

riffle

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Riff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riff. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of riff

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

maverick

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes