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
But the siren call of soft jazzy riffs from a grand piano beckons you towards reception.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 May 2026
In theory, this is a time for quiet reflection, to let those opening raucous religious riffs wash over you.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
Over an efficient five tracks, West traverses the sonic styles of her generation — from nu-metal riffs to rage-rap 808s — with dazzling confidence.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 1 May 2026
Throughout the film, the conversation (and there’s plenty of it) serves either to nail down plot points and character traits—or, as in a few Jewish riffs, as ornamental as sprinkles, to suggest substance that’s never developed.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for riff
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 May 2026
In theory, this is a time for quiet reflection, to let those opening raucous religious riffs wash over you.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
Over an efficient five tracks, West traverses the sonic styles of her generation — from nu-metal riffs to rage-rap 808s — with dazzling confidence.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 1 May 2026
Throughout the film, the conversation (and there’s plenty of it) serves either to nail down plot points and character traits—or, as in a few Jewish riffs, as ornamental as sprinkles, to suggest substance that’s never developed.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for riff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riff
Noun
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In contrast, a decision by a judge is governed by stare decisis, the legal principle that courts must adhere to interpretations of law set by past decisions and that lower courts must follow higher courts when in the same jurisdiction.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
12 May 2026
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Working with gaffer Jim Plannette, Schiffman referenced classic films while adding his own interpretation, capturing the sequence on 35mm color film stock and converting it to black and white.—
Daron James,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Noun
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Jean-Claude Manuguerra, who heads Pasteur's Environment and Infectious Risk unit, said the remaining variation appeared to reflect natural viral variation and did not seem to affect the characteristics of the virus detected among travelers.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
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Thousands of other farmers perch in variations of these treehouses, which dot the landscape of central Sri Lanka.—
Diaa Hadid,
NPR,
16 May 2026
Noun
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Wear the grey option with blue jeans for a semi-casual look, or dress up the lime green or black version with trousers and heels.—
Mia Huelsbeck,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
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Health officials are now investigating whether the outbreak involves the Ebola Zaire strain — the deadliest and most well-known version of the virus — or a different variant, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Riff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riff. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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