riffle 1 of 2

verb

ˈri-fəl How to pronounce riffle (audio)
Definition of rifflenext
as in to flip
to turn over pages in an idle or cursory manner Web research is convenient but doesn't offer the tactile pleasures of riffling through heavy old books

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

riffle

2 of 2

noun

as in wavelet

Related Words

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 riffle
Verb
Palm fronds riffled in the hot breeze as the sky darkened and the air smelled, mysteriously, of salad dressing. — Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2024 Keep reading to check out more weekend deals, or head straight to Amazon to riffle through everything else that's on sale right now. — Amy Schulman, PEOPLE.com, 6 May 2022
Noun
Tanks and soldiers with riffles have lined the streets of the Paraguayan capital all week. — Samindra Kunti, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025 Very often, the single word that completes the thought in a Maclean line is the fly that drops perfectly onto the riffle. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for riffle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riffle
  1. flip
  2. wavelet
  3. leaf
  4. curl
  5. thumb
  6. roller
  7. skim
  8. comber
Verb
  • The animal charged toward the visitor, chased him back and forth through a patch of trees, and, ultimately, struck the man with its horns, launching and flipping him over.
    — Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 13 July 2026
  • Despite his attempt to run from the animal and hide behind trees, the animal catches up to the man and uses its head and horns to flip him into the air.
    — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 12 July 2026
Definition of flip
Noun
  • Pipe those wavelets of foie gras feculence over to neighboring Surfside, a two-bathroom kind of town with waste pipes galore.
    — Pat Beall, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 June 2025
  • Its wavelets lap enticingly at our feet, but the breaker that might truly knock the breath out of us never comes.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2025
Definition of wavelet
Verb
  • Planting a leafed-out, growing hosta from a pot is identical to any other transplanting process.
    — Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 29 June 2026
  • Twelve-hundred years passed in the shade of the Major Oak of Sherwood Forest before it was declared dead after failing to come to leaf.
    — Karina Zaiets, USA Today, 19 June 2026
Definition of leaf
Noun
  • In recent weeks, Smith has shared heartwrenching glimpses into the family’s battle, including photos of Whimsy’s curls being shaved and her bald head bedazzled with gems.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 18 July 2026
  • Griffin styled her signature bright red hair in natural curls with wavy bangs, framing her glam-free skin.
    — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 18 July 2026
Definition of curl
Verb
  • Hawkins, by contrast, almost seems to be thumbing his nose at the whole concept of existing as a complex, nuanced human being.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 16 July 2026
  • In one scene, a pair of revellers dance naked just outside the fence of the Calvary Cemetery, thumbing their noses at the reaper while the Manhattan skyline towers in the distance.
    — Chris Wiley, New Yorker, 4 July 2026
Definition of thumb
Noun
  • But open the Rocket Stop doors, and the smell of seasoned, fried catfish cooked to order distinguishes this gas station from convenience stores in which hot food offerings are typically just hot dogs on roller grills.
    — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 17 July 2026
  • The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is already investigating FanDuel's use of celebrity messages to target high-roller VIP bettors.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2026
Definition of roller
Verb
  • The Rotary Mouse is suited for user tasks that require a lot of scrolling such as reading websites, writing lengthy documents, skimming spreadsheets, coding, or large amounts of video editing.
    — Shirl Leigh July 12, New Atlas, 12 July 2026
  • Consumers can help protect themselves from skimming by inspecting card readers before use, covering the keypad when entering a PIN, monitoring account activity regularly, and promptly reporting suspicious transactions to their financial institution.
    — Mary Ella Hastings July 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 July 2026
Definition of skim
Noun
  • In the scope was one of the many tiny fish bones that were found that day, probably belonging to a small comber or a wrasse.
    — Paul Greenberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Dec. 2022
  • The destructive combers continued to undermine dwellings near the water’s edge at West Newport Beach.
    — Scott Harrison, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2019
Definition of comber

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Cite this Entry

“Riffle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riffle. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on riffle

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about riffle

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