RIFFRAFF Synonyms: 103 Similar and Opposite Words

riffraff

noun

ˈrif-ˌraf

Definition of riffraff

as in debris

discarded or useless material the sight of piles and piles of riffraff at the town dump was a sobering reminder that we are indeed a society of consumers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in rabble

people looked down upon as ignorant and of the lowest class local ordinances that are intended to keep the riffraff out of the town

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 riffraff Lawyers, journalists and similar riffraff congregated at lunch or after work, and Vincent worked the room, table-hopping with jokes or movie reviews or tales from his latest intriguing trip. — Neal Rubin, Detroit Free Press, 8 Sep. 2024 The bar’s owner, Frankie (a spirited Jessica Williams), has hired Dalton to purge the riffraff, the better to realize her dream of making the Road House a respectable joint worthy of destination weddings and romantic getaways. — Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024 Bypass the riffraff and turn your ideas into something concrete. — Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2024 William is ready for the task and has no intention of being killed by rebels or any other riffraff in the forests of Virginia. — Lincee Ray, EW.com, 8 July 2023 See All Example Sentences for riffraff

Recent Examples of Synonyms for riffraff

Noun

Last week, a group of about 50 residents rallied a block away from the warehouse and demanded the company clean up the debris from the fire and then pack up and leave.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Still others tend the fleet already in orbit, refueling, relocating, and extending the life of satellites, and clearing the debris that crowded orbits leave behind.

— Charlotte Kiang, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026

Definition of debris

Noun

At the same time, Democratic leaders, backed by a rabble, stormed City Hall and seized control of the local government.

— Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 3 July 2026
As the tribunes, Bernardo De Paula’s Brutus and Daniel DeYoung’s Sicinius scheme and rabble-rouse with manipulative glee.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of rabble

Noun

Instead, rival parties united in dismissing his actions as a stunt, leaving his only opponent to be a garbage-can wearing comedian whose policies include forcing rule-breaking cyclists to ride unicycles.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 9 July 2026
Using a plastic bag to collect the soil and disposing of it in the garbage — not green yard waste bins — will help to reduce the spread of airborne chemicals.

— Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Definition of garbage

Noun

His profiteering has drawn criticism from even the traditionally conservative editorial boards at the Wall Street Journal and New York Post, as well as the broader American populace.

— Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 2 July 2026
The ongoing diversification of the American populace ensures that Latin American rhythms, jazz subgenres and electronic innovations will continue to redefine what the nation will sound like moving forward.

— Ted Olson, The Conversation, 2 July 2026

Definition of populace

Noun

Attorneys for the owners of the landfill, which stopped accepting trash last year, claimed this spring in the litigation that the lawsuits may be tainted by fraud.

— Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026
The concrete bleachers around the basketball court was teeming with trash, plastic cups, and bottles of alcohol.

— Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 11 July 2026

Definition of trash

Noun

His charm offensive, including moving to Rio and recalling Neymar, has also begun to win over a skeptical public, setting the stage for a crucial World Cup challenge.

— Chris Evans, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Harry and Meghan, who live in California, left Britain in 2020 after stepping back from royal life, and have since been involved in a long-running, public falling out with his family.

— Max Foster, CNN Money, 4 July 2026

Definition of public

Noun

If caught in dense blowing dust, pull off the road, turn off your lights and keep your foot off the brake.

— CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026
At the start of this World Cup, there was concern that many of the new teams – some of which had never played a World Cup match – would be used as dust rags for the world powers.

— Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 10 July 2026

Definition of dust

Noun

In 1913, Antonino Alati left southern Italy to find a better life in a land where many people regarded him as little better than scum.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
The acid in vinegar will help cut through soap scum on glass and acrylic doors, resulting in a sparkling shine.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 28 June 2026

Definition of scum

Browse Nearby Words

riffling

riffraff

riffs

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Riffraff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riffraff. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of riffraff

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on riffraff

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

implacable

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes