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
The landing page for the band’s site contains 10 new riffs… which, for those hoping for actual new songs from the group, definitely counts as a start.
—
Chris Willman, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Laura managed to jot the trumpet part into a notebook, but by then, Sun Ra’s riffs had changed.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
The drink menu is divided into familiar categories — martini, negroni, spritz, highball, collins, sour, old-fashioned — and each is led by the classic iteration, followed by several riffs on the category.
—Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026
The track, which thrums with delightful menace, blends Knocked Loose’s heavy riffs with Curry’s rapid-fire bars, deliciously denouncing group-think.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2026
The ad features Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc, Jason Alexander, Jasmine Guy, Jaleel White, Alfonso Ribeiro and Ted Danson, all doing riffs on their past TV characters.
—Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
The riffs of a country band trickled from a packed club and into the parking lot, a rock’s throw from Alabama’s hulking college football stadium.
—Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
The country’s dessert case of sweets is eye-catching and alluring, with a pattern of flavors, colors, and scents that play in endless riffs.
—Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Jan. 2026
The friends poke fun at each other, go on cute little riffs, and generally try to keep things positive, which makes room for Jimmy’s carefree, borderline cartoonish side to surface, especially in the premiere.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 28 Jan. 2026
Chris Willman, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Laura managed to jot the trumpet part into a notebook, but by then, Sun Ra’s riffs had changed.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
The drink menu is divided into familiar categories — martini, negroni, spritz, highball, collins, sour, old-fashioned — and each is led by the classic iteration, followed by several riffs on the category.
—Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026
The track, which thrums with delightful menace, blends Knocked Loose’s heavy riffs with Curry’s rapid-fire bars, deliciously denouncing group-think.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2026
The ad features Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc, Jason Alexander, Jasmine Guy, Jaleel White, Alfonso Ribeiro and Ted Danson, all doing riffs on their past TV characters.
—Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
The riffs of a country band trickled from a packed club and into the parking lot, a rock’s throw from Alabama’s hulking college football stadium.
—Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
The country’s dessert case of sweets is eye-catching and alluring, with a pattern of flavors, colors, and scents that play in endless riffs.
—Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Jan. 2026
The friends poke fun at each other, go on cute little riffs, and generally try to keep things positive, which makes room for Jimmy’s carefree, borderline cartoonish side to surface, especially in the premiere.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 28 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riffs
Noun
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By day, visitors can discover one-of-a-kind interpretations of some of their favorite artworks.—
Anya Sesay,
jsonline.com,
18 Feb. 2026
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Not all Christian denominations fast or give something up during Lent, however, and the practice can have many interpretations depending on someone's spirituality, personal health and social circumstances.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Each generation showed small variations, and just like in nature, those that coped the best passed on their characteristics.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Feb. 2026
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In the world of Manhattan variations, the Brooklyn is one of the best.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Skarsgård doesn’t mind doing multiple takes.—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2026
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Dinner is a playground of refreshing charm and joyful abandon; expect fresh takes like cavatelli with pepperoni butter or spaghetti alla chitarra with crab and tomato gravy.—
Chris Morocco,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Another measure, House Bill 1645, would create state versions of FEMA programs as Mississippi officials prepare for reduced federal disaster support.—
ALEX ROZIER Mississippi Today,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
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Previous versions of the bill failed to gain traction in both chambers last year.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Riffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riffs. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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