as in interpretations
a distinct treatment of something (as a story or a play)
a mock news program with humorous riffs on current events
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Recent Examples of riffs
Over an efficient five tracks, West traverses the sonic styles of her generation — from nu-metal riffs to rage-rap 808s — with dazzling confidence.
—
Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 1 May 2026
Throughout the film, the conversation (and there’s plenty of it) serves either to nail down plot points and character traits—or, as in a few Jewish riffs, as ornamental as sprinkles, to suggest substance that’s never developed.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2026
Instead, the dusty guitar riffs and heartbeat-monitoring beeps sound like Portishead on a journey of fear and loathing through the Nevada desert.
—Dean Van Nguyen, Pitchfork, 30 Apr. 2026
Only time will tell if any of these riffs enter Kentucky’s culinary pantheon, but the original has long proven its staying power—and perhaps will for another century.
—Rich Warren, Saveur, 29 Apr. 2026
From the pristine production to the runs and riffs, Kehlani puts on a masterclass of technical songbuilding and lyrical storytelling.
—Adelle Platon, VIBE.com, 27 Apr. 2026
The Hill Street special riffs on the salt-and-pepper pork chops found at Chinatown’s Full House, here reimagined into a quasi-katsu sando.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Brian Gibson’s gangrenous bass riffs and gibbering, muffled vocals have even more gonzo energy than usual, while Chippendale mixes bombast and finesse with his customary flair.
—Reed Jackson, SPIN, 24 Apr. 2026
Consider the island vibes and shakerato riffs of Wonderift Coffee in Ahwatukee, while on Grand Avenue, Malegría Cafe blends Salvadorian horchata lattes, reflecting how local coffee culture is embracing Latin influences.
—Chris Malloy, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Apr. 2026
Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 1 May 2026
Throughout the film, the conversation (and there’s plenty of it) serves either to nail down plot points and character traits—or, as in a few Jewish riffs, as ornamental as sprinkles, to suggest substance that’s never developed.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2026
Instead, the dusty guitar riffs and heartbeat-monitoring beeps sound like Portishead on a journey of fear and loathing through the Nevada desert.
—Dean Van Nguyen, Pitchfork, 30 Apr. 2026
Only time will tell if any of these riffs enter Kentucky’s culinary pantheon, but the original has long proven its staying power—and perhaps will for another century.
—Rich Warren, Saveur, 29 Apr. 2026
From the pristine production to the runs and riffs, Kehlani puts on a masterclass of technical songbuilding and lyrical storytelling.
—Adelle Platon, VIBE.com, 27 Apr. 2026
The Hill Street special riffs on the salt-and-pepper pork chops found at Chinatown’s Full House, here reimagined into a quasi-katsu sando.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Brian Gibson’s gangrenous bass riffs and gibbering, muffled vocals have even more gonzo energy than usual, while Chippendale mixes bombast and finesse with his customary flair.
—Reed Jackson, SPIN, 24 Apr. 2026
Consider the island vibes and shakerato riffs of Wonderift Coffee in Ahwatukee, while on Grand Avenue, Malegría Cafe blends Salvadorian horchata lattes, reflecting how local coffee culture is embracing Latin influences.
—Chris Malloy, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riffs
Noun
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Both are deliberately broad — an open invitation for serious fashion swings rather than literal interpretations.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Similarly, news aggregators, such as Google News, present users with lists of news stories generated by algorithms’ interpretations of other users’ behavior.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In all the variations the personnel staff played out before the first round, there were very, very few in which Bain fell to them.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Additionally, variations in her appearance were noted, such as the strap across her chest.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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And then Hathaway won an Oscar for it, and everyone was entirely normal about it, flowing with generous takes.—
Chris Feil,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
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The cut features plenty of unseen character arcs and alternate takes.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
1 May 2026
Noun
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The Santa Fe burrito is a genuine pleasure—more restrained, built on a smaller scale, with green chile doing the complex, vegetal, low-burning work that other versions might leave to salsa—though, again, the tortilla serves its contents, rather than the hosannas going the other way.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
3 May 2026
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Conflicting versions of events The Israeli military issued a statement saying that as the army was destroying Hezbollah infrastructure in Yaroun, a house that had no religious signs was damaged.—
Bassem Mroue,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Riffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riffs. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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