1
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
2
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
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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
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
-
Suggestions for this zone are to remove combustible items and vegetation; screen vents and fill gaps in or totally enclose eaves; and clear debris from a home’s roof, gutters and deck.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
-
In both cases, the damage seems to have stemmed from attacks on nearby ports or from falling debris from drone interceptions.—
Michael Christopher Low,
The Conversation,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There’s a rabble-rousing politician with grievances galore.—
Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Mar. 2026
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Tanner spoke in a blend of political rabble-rousing and entrepreneurial uplift.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Keep garbage bins covered and clean them frequently to remove sticky foods.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
7 Mar. 2026
-
It has been used as a military camp, garbage dump, and recreational area throughout its history.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Three makeshift camps have been closed as a result of people finding housing, including a more permanent Fountain Square camp that garnered media coverage after residents called attention to growing piles of trash and reports of animal abuse.—
Alysa Guffey,
IndyStar,
6 Mar. 2026
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On Monday, the Lincoln Club announced a ballot initiative to repeal the trash tax and deliver real relief.—
Bradley Schnell,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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That combination makes for a happy society and ensures a populace that drives a productive economy for years to come.—
Alexis Akwagyiram,
semafor.com,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The announcers need to study intensely, learning details not only about an athlete, but what a particular sport means to the populace of a country halfway around the world.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Remove as much dust as possible to improve the bonding of the tile adhesive.—
Kamron Sanders,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Mar. 2026
-
This is the atmosphere in which wind, oxygen, and dust influence psychological landscapes.—
Lisa Deaderick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The ratings agency downgraded Paramount’s debt to junk.—
Lucas Shaw,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
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The more junk goes in—unverified claims, conspiracies, Astroturf campaigns, low‑quality commentary—the more polished junk comes out.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The figures would suggest some support among the US public for going after Iran’s nuclear program, though other polling suggests most Americans disapprove of the strikes and thought the administration should have given diplomacy more of a shot.—
Morgan Chalfant,
semafor.com,
5 Mar. 2026
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Bart Jansen White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump thinks the American public the supports the war against Iran.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Riffraff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riffraff. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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