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
David asked to join our call with Peter Callahan and his team, who presented a parade of playful, bite-sized riffs on classic dishes, designed for passing and stations since we’d opted against a seated dinner.
—
Rachel Hodin, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026
In testing, the ominous backbeat drove the track, while the screeching riffs and vocals stood against it.
—Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 6 Mar. 2026
Over six feet tall and skinny, with a mass of reddish curls, Fleming leaps and bounds across stage while delivering riffs on the bitmoji skills of baby boomers, ballads dedicated to deceased chain craft store Joann’s Fabrics, and Celine Dion’s gamer sons.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2026
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 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
Rachel Hodin, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026
In testing, the ominous backbeat drove the track, while the screeching riffs and vocals stood against it.
—Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 6 Mar. 2026
Over six feet tall and skinny, with a mass of reddish curls, Fleming leaps and bounds across stage while delivering riffs on the bitmoji skills of baby boomers, ballads dedicated to deceased chain craft store Joann’s Fabrics, and Celine Dion’s gamer sons.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2026
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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riffs
Noun
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Topics included how climate change and air pollution have greatly increased haze in the area, native Cherokee interpretations of the land, and how logging has impacted the park’s streams and fish populations, among other topics.—
Madison Dapcevich,
Outside,
11 Mar. 2026
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Coming off an off-Broadway run with the show, Torres’ Color Theories offers a guide to understanding the world through his playful interpretations of colors.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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These and other variations like ones involving free weights or resistance bands can also engage hip flexor, leg and butt muscles.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
15 Mar. 2026
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With so many updates to the classic handbag in spring collections—including variations on the shapes’ silhouette, size, shade, and even textiles—there are so many ways to incorporate this style into your life in a way that speaks to you.—
Jasmine Fox-Suliaman,
InStyle,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
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From evergreen staples from Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo to modern takes from Toteme and The Row (and even a few unexpected picks in bubblegum pink and firetruck red), their wishlist encompasses a lot of bridal styles; and, more importantly, a lot of bridal events.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
6 Mar. 2026
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Actors might then spend the entire day — and sometimes well into the night — wearing and removing the elaborate wigs dozens of times between takes.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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For example, all three versions state that the visitors arrived early and sat outside in the car, rehearsing.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
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Bardossas said instead of boosting the production of glyphosate, the solution should be to switch to organic versions of pesticides or to regenerative farming, a practice that restores soil health while reducing or eliminating synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Riffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riffs. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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