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
Scary Movie, the latest entry in the beloved horror parody franchise, is overloaded with riffs, digs, plays, and puns on modern cinema.
—
Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 6 June 2026
Food and drink The fifth-floor BAHR with its open kitchen showcases his distinctive flavor combinations with plates like prawn rissoles (a Portuguese snack) as well as riffs on traditional dishes like pork with clams.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Corgan was still dreaming of monster riffs in the vein of Jimmy Page balanced out with the goth sensibilities of bands like the Cure.
—David Harris, SPIN, 2 June 2026
His movies are goofs, larks, stunts, knowingly arch bizarro-world riffs.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 18 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
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
Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 6 June 2026
Food and drink The fifth-floor BAHR with its open kitchen showcases his distinctive flavor combinations with plates like prawn rissoles (a Portuguese snack) as well as riffs on traditional dishes like pork with clams.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Corgan was still dreaming of monster riffs in the vein of Jimmy Page balanced out with the goth sensibilities of bands like the Cure.
—David Harris, SPIN, 2 June 2026
His movies are goofs, larks, stunts, knowingly arch bizarro-world riffs.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 18 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riffs
Noun
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And what do the fates of these men say about how and through whom the show defines audacity — a word that has two different interpretations and uses?—
Abbey White,
HollywoodReporter,
2 June 2026
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While the show's other actors don't know the truth, many of them have shared their interpretations since the finale aired.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
Noun
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One hundred and nine years after its birth in New Orleans (and some Dixieland lovers were the first ones to declare jazz dead when other variations of the music began emerging), the music is still with us, and appreciated by everyone from Boomers to Gen-Zers.—
Randy McMullen,
Mercury News,
4 June 2026
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The White House responded with economic sanctions, and then-President Dwight Eisenhower established the first embargo with an export ban, beginning an economic blockade of Cuba that has lasted, with a few variations, for nearly 70 years.—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
Noun
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Honestly, the range of wild takes here has put me in fond mind of the good, old Twitter.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
28 May 2026
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Their feed is full of other people's takes.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Noun
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The duo first appear in parodied versions of the Longlegs roles originated by Blair Underwood and Maika Monroe midway through Scary Movie, standing by as their fellow officers are sent off after a suspicious perp.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 June 2026
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Earlier versions had a smaller moving head.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Riffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riffs. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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