RIFFRAFFS 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

Always dispose of infected plant debris, but consider leaving some non-diseased leaves for bees and butterflies.

— Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 6 Nov. 2026
For example, a floor-only cleaning session may be appropriate for routine debris removal, while full-coverage cleaning can be selected when walls, slopes and the waterline also require attention.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of debris

Noun

The federal government’s understanding (or misunderstanding, according to bestselling author Malcolm Gladwell) of the 2nd Amendment all begins with the tale of a rabble-rousing 17th century English nobleman.

— Shelby Hartman, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
Abdul El-Sayed, a rabble-rousing populist and former public health official, just barely eked out a primary victory Tuesday in Michigan over a centrist rival who was the pick of Washington Democrats to keep a must-hold Senate seat.

— Philip Elliott, Time, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of rabble

Noun

Sure, in 1854, the first prepacked box of Whitman's chocolates was introduced, guaranteeing to the American populace a standard of staleness, of flavorlessness, for years to come.

— Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2026
The idea is that voting is not the only way to drive change; demonstration is considered a bedrock value, a way to make elites hear the populace and to defend freedoms.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of populace

Noun

Plus, most rooms have a recycling bin in addition to a trash bin in the larger kitchenettes and the custom mattresses are eco-friendly, US made, and toxin-free.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026
Thompson said the interior was also littered with trash, drugs and bodily fluids.

— CBS News, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of trash

Noun

Another 13 people were wounded on downtown Sacramento’s K Street and 10th Street, in what became the deadliest mass shooting in the city’s history.

— Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2026
Organizers say more than 125,000 people are expected throughout the event, bringing in millions of dollars for the local economy.

— Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 19 June 2026

Definition of people

Noun

Democrats won legislative trifectas big enough to pass progressive bills that had gathered dust and lint under Republican control.

— David Weigel, semafor.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Flat fields, which depict a uniform light background, help correct for defects caused by telescope optics, dust spots, and variations in pixel sensitivity.

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of dust

Noun

The last of its kind in the country, the event is held twice a year and open to a paying public.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 7 Nov. 2026
The potential collision point between opposition oversight from Democrats and the Republican president’s preoccupation with the projects was evident in his last message to the American public before the election — and in his first afterward, too.

— Gary Fields, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of public

Browse Nearby Words

riffling

riffraff

riffs

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Style

“Riffraff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riffraff. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of riffraff

noun

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