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
  • Slicing across the pavement, the aircraft struck several vehicles – including one left flipped onto its side and twisted into an arc not unlike the tail fin logo – before sliding to a fiery stop just shy of a parking lot filled with dozens of cars.
    — Maria Aguilar Prieto, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026
  • That dynamic has flipped in the Arteta era, to the point where one of Alonso’s most important objectives in Sunday’s game was to shatter the inferiority complex that had seemingly developed in too many of his players.
    — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 7 Sep. 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
  • These emotions are pertinent not only to the plant or leaf itself but also to living matter in its vicinity.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Planting a leafed-out, growing hosta from a pot is identical to any other transplanting process.
    — Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 29 June 2026
Definition of leaf
Noun
  • For even bouncier curl definition, our editors love pairing the shampoo with the Curl Charisma Rice Amino & Shea Curl Defining Conditioner.
    — Madison San Miguel, Allure, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Most of his targets were toward the numbers, hitting Donovan Olugbode and Brett Norfleet on curls and out routes near the sideline.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of curl
Verb
  • Danny Boyle adopts a similar strategy with this snazzy screen adaptation, shot through with kinetic energy, convulsive editing and a liberal sprinkling of post-punk, electro-pop and indie rock that thumbs its nose at period accuracy.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Following the vote, Speaker Mike Johnson celebrated its passage and thumbed his nose at those who questioned or openly doubted its prospects.
    — John Parkinson, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of thumb
Noun
  • That’s evident even from the eye-roller of a generic title, a cliché that reeks of preciousness.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The gallery recently hosted an immersive roller-skating event that examined how Black Milwaukeeans perceive America's history.
    — Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of roller
Verb
  • Crafted from the finest, lightest tweed, the dress—chosen by stylist Ramona Tabita—features a sumptuous knotted structure that opens into a generous back neckline and culminates in a majestic train that skims the red carpet.
    — Giacomo Aricò, Vogue, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Higgins wore her hair in a voluminous, shoulder-skimming lob with the ends dramatically flipped outward, creating that unmistakable kicky silhouette associated with so many late-'60s and early-'70s looks.
    — Marci Robin, Allure, 1 Sep. 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 13 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on riffle

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about riffle

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