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
Similar portals are a convenient way of getting from point A to point B in the spacetime continuum, and a riff on the notion of wormholes/Einstein-Rosen Bridges.
—
Richard Edwards, Space.com, 17 Mar. 2026
Did any of you think about that before closing your primaries to keep out the riff-raff?
—Arkansas Online, 16 Mar. 2026
David asked to join our call with Peter Callahan and his team, who presented a parade of playful, bite-sized riffs on classic dishes, designed for passing and stations since we’d opted against a seated dinner.
—Rachel Hodin, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026
The wunderkind hyped to the heavens by Gazzetta dello Sport and subject to a series of ‘Pio Esiste’ headlines (a riff on ‘God Exists’) had a night for the atheists.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for riff
Richard Edwards, Space.com, 17 Mar. 2026
Did any of you think about that before closing your primaries to keep out the riff-raff?
—Arkansas Online, 16 Mar. 2026
David asked to join our call with Peter Callahan and his team, who presented a parade of playful, bite-sized riffs on classic dishes, designed for passing and stations since we’d opted against a seated dinner.
—Rachel Hodin, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026
The wunderkind hyped to the heavens by Gazzetta dello Sport and subject to a series of ‘Pio Esiste’ headlines (a riff on ‘God Exists’) had a night for the atheists.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for riff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riff
Noun
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The executive order Trump signed his first day back in office challenges the longstanding interpretation of a 19th century constitutional provision guaranteeing birthright citizenship to nearly everyone.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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Issues concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to any principles of conflict of laws.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Those variations came down to either a deal that kept the 24-year-old with the organization for the rest of his career or through his first two free-agent years.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
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But there are some regional variations; first prize in Tokyo, for example, is 5 kilograms (11 pounds) of tuna.—
Trista Kurniawan,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The name on the order was Theodora Kaczynski—a female version of the Unabomber.—
Oriana van Praag,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
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Lenney opposed earlier versions of the bill, too.—
Mark Dee
March 28,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Riff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riff. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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