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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of riffs
His movies are goofs, larks, stunts, knowingly arch bizarro-world riffs.
—
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 18 May 2026
After the 1990 death of Mother Love Bone frontman Andrew Wood, guitarist Stone Gossard and bassist Jeff Ament started putting together a new band and recording Gossard’s latest riffs in Seattle.
—Al Shipley, SPIN, 15 May 2026
Yes as a onetime member of the band; or a sense that their music—with its own outlandish sonics, jarring interruptions, intricate riffs played once and tossed away—had more in common with his channel-surfing vision of pop than the average listener might have realized.
—Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 9 May 2026
But the siren call of soft jazzy riffs from a grand piano beckons you towards reception.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 May 2026
In theory, this is a time for quiet reflection, to let those opening raucous religious riffs wash over you.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
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
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
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 18 May 2026
After the 1990 death of Mother Love Bone frontman Andrew Wood, guitarist Stone Gossard and bassist Jeff Ament started putting together a new band and recording Gossard’s latest riffs in Seattle.
—Al Shipley, SPIN, 15 May 2026
Yes as a onetime member of the band; or a sense that their music—with its own outlandish sonics, jarring interruptions, intricate riffs played once and tossed away—had more in common with his channel-surfing vision of pop than the average listener might have realized.
—Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 9 May 2026
But the siren call of soft jazzy riffs from a grand piano beckons you towards reception.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 May 2026
In theory, this is a time for quiet reflection, to let those opening raucous religious riffs wash over you.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riffs
Noun
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Honora features six original songs, plus interpretations of music by George Clinton and Eddie Hazel, Jimmy Webb, Frank Ocean and Shea Taylor, and Ann Ronell.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
27 May 2026
-
The installation lends itself to multiple interpretations.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Noun
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Because its electrical output responds to small changes in moisture, the system detects physiological signals linked to humidity variations.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
24 May 2026
-
River and Greenbelt-adjacent names, including variations of Riverfront and Greenbelt Lane, also appeared consistently across all groups.—
Emily Carmela Nelson,
Idaho Statesman,
24 May 2026
Noun
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Or were their outrageous takes simply a ploy to boost ratings?—
Lorraine Ali,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2026
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Between takes, Liu did TikTok dances, trying to summon the right energy.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
Noun
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The brand has an entire collection of travel‑ready bags that mirror the function and finish of the designer versions, but at a fraction of the cost.—
Paris Wilson,
Travel + Leisure,
23 May 2026
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Closer to home, Starship is designed to carry larger versions of the company's Starlink internet satellites and other payloads to Earth orbit.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Riffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riffs. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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