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
The Boys is a show that riffs on the superhero industrial complex, including Marvel.
—
Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 1 May 2025
The app riffs on similar AI competitors, like OpenAI's ChatGPT.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
Across the world, the NYC ballet company Metropolitan Ballet Theater—a riff on the American Ballet Theatre, which performs at the renowned New York City arts center Lincoln Center—is facing problems of its own.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 24 Apr. 2025
Expect mostly classic American fare—the deer camp pie, an Upper Peninsula riff on shepherd’s pie with venison, is a personal favorite.
—Jacqueline Kehoe, Travel + Leisure, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for riff
Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 1 May 2025
The app riffs on similar AI competitors, like OpenAI's ChatGPT.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
Across the world, the NYC ballet company Metropolitan Ballet Theater—a riff on the American Ballet Theatre, which performs at the renowned New York City arts center Lincoln Center—is facing problems of its own.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 24 Apr. 2025
Expect mostly classic American fare—the deer camp pie, an Upper Peninsula riff on shepherd’s pie with venison, is a personal favorite.
—Jacqueline Kehoe, Travel + Leisure, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for riff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riff
Noun
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All are valid interpretations, but none fully explores the nuances of why so many women turn to alcohol in the first place.—
Jessica Guerrieri,
People.com,
9 May 2025
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And the 69-year-old Leo has a trail of social media posts promoting opinion articles critical of Vice President JD Vance ‒ one as recent as April 14 ‒ over Vance's interpretation of Scripture and his position on immigration.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
9 May 2025
Noun
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There is a sense of anticipation as plants return from one year to the next, often with surprising variations in color or form from the natural diversity found in seed.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
18 May 2025
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Clamps — There are honestly too many variations of clamps to name, from Cardellinis to Mafers, with each having a specific purpose, whether that be holding gels to lights or needing an item held in the perfect position.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
17 May 2025
Noun
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Its success inspired a US version to be made in 2010 starring Chloe Grace Moretz and Kodi Smit-McPhee as the couple of solitary teenagers – one a vampire – who strike up an unlikely but soothing friendship.—
Caroline Frost,
Deadline,
10 May 2025
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Certain classics like Little Women have been adapted multiple times, with each generation of moviegoer getting their definitive version.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
EW.com,
10 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Riff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riff. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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