riffs

plural of riff
as in interpretations
a distinct treatment of something (as a story or a play) a mock news program with humorous riffs on current events

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 riffs While the drinks at Bastia, which are riffs on classic aperitivos and Italian-leaning cocktails, are excellent, cocktail lovers should pay a visit to Caletta, the hotel’s intimate 24-seat cocktail lounge. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026 Demondice’s voice stays front and center, and the electronic riffs weave through both the percussion and vocals, ensuring the track sounds full outside of the understandably absent sub-bass. — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 3 Nov. 2026 Sixty years later, Water Damage has found another way to make minimalism enveloping, this time through roaring riffs presented on an infinite loop. — Vanessa Ague, Pitchfork, 29 Oct. 2026 The focus of the day is recording riffs for one of the four movies to be featured in the new episodes. — Joe Otterson, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026 There was something carnivalesque about Marcia’s intellectual riffs. — Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026 But California alt-metal trio Primus exists almost entirely in opposition to good taste, with Les Claypool singing morbidly odd story-songs about colorful characters in a nasal wheeze while his bass belches out gnarly, distorted riffs. — Al Shipley, SPIN, 8 Sep. 2026 And Quentin Collette’s turbulent soundscape — rumbling, clanking, with the unrelenting downpour stirring in elemental fury — mixes seamlessly with the tense synth riffs of French electronic composer Robin Coudert, known professionally as ROB. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026 Moon Bar’s menu offers the classics, as well as riffs on those drinks, like the addition of miso shiso honey to an old fashioned. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riffs
Noun
  • Concurrent with these updates, ZDHC published a PFAS position paper and practical interpretations, which reinforces the organization’s position against the intentional use of the substances in the textile, apparel, leather and footwear supply chain.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Given some of the uncertainty that can result as social media discussions make spot interpretations of data, producers expect to use new graphics and standards to make races easier to understand.
    — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 2 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • The modular shaping magnets can be adjusted in strength and replaced individually to account for variations during assembly, as well as wear and tear during operation.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026
  • But fear not, the Lucky Bags, which Wood says people continue to want variations of, will not be going anywhere.
    — Arushi Jacob, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • One aerial fight is a dazzler with long takes of planes swooping through the clouds accompanied by the teeth-rattling clatter of lightning bolts that crash against your ears like metal trashcan lids.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
  • From her festive styling tips to her party hosting no-nos, read on for the superstar’s hottest holiday takes.
    — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Previous versions included the planet’s core, mantle, crust and stellar radiation but did not account for the surface and atmosphere.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The iconic cheer team filed its lawsuit last month, claiming the knockoff versions of its signature blue-and-white uniforms were used without authorization during a mock gun battle onstage.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Riffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riffs. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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