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
Propelled by one of guitarist Wes Borland’s hypnotic riffs, crunching beats, old-school record scratches and the group’s signature shouty choruses, the whole thing comes crashing to a close with a pummeling final chorus that finally nods to the country star in the title.
—
Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2025
Christoph Waltz, Renée Zellweger, and Logan Lerman step in as a trio of billionaires, meant to be riffs on the modern mogul.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2025
Now that Paul Thomas Anderson has adapted Thomas Pynchon’s work not once, but twice — the upcoming One Battle After Another riffs on Pynchon’s 1990 novel, Vineland, with Leo to boot — someone’s assistant might actually have to read Gravity’s Rainbow.
—John Lopez, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
The other range is built on the Endurance Pro, with the riffs on the titanium dive watch costing $4,400 apiece.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 31 Aug. 2025
Le Petit Beefbar, which has reseeded itself from its original Monaco outpost across the continent, incorporates Czech riffs with wagyu goulash and tonkatsu schnitzel.
—Sarah Turner, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
The band were already distinguishing themselves by wedging huge, chunky-salsa riffs underneath the scabrous noise of the EP.
—Pat Blashill, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2025
His guitar riffs and solos pop and transfix, while his smooth, slightly nasal voice swells above the compositions.
—Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 20 Aug. 2025
Crowds wait patiently in the East Atlanta strip mall parking lot for downright exciting riffs on Voraotsady’s heritage and Georgia upbringing.
—Pervaiz Shallwani, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Aug. 2025
Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2025
Christoph Waltz, Renée Zellweger, and Logan Lerman step in as a trio of billionaires, meant to be riffs on the modern mogul.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2025
Now that Paul Thomas Anderson has adapted Thomas Pynchon’s work not once, but twice — the upcoming One Battle After Another riffs on Pynchon’s 1990 novel, Vineland, with Leo to boot — someone’s assistant might actually have to read Gravity’s Rainbow.
—John Lopez, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
The other range is built on the Endurance Pro, with the riffs on the titanium dive watch costing $4,400 apiece.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 31 Aug. 2025
Le Petit Beefbar, which has reseeded itself from its original Monaco outpost across the continent, incorporates Czech riffs with wagyu goulash and tonkatsu schnitzel.
—Sarah Turner, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
The band were already distinguishing themselves by wedging huge, chunky-salsa riffs underneath the scabrous noise of the EP.
—Pat Blashill, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2025
His guitar riffs and solos pop and transfix, while his smooth, slightly nasal voice swells above the compositions.
—Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 20 Aug. 2025
Crowds wait patiently in the East Atlanta strip mall parking lot for downright exciting riffs on Voraotsady’s heritage and Georgia upbringing.
—Pervaiz Shallwani, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riffs
Noun
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Stanford Health Care has launched an AI assistant that helps its physicians draft interpretations of clinical tests and lab results to send to patients.—
Kate Ruder,
NPR,
11 Sep. 2025
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The fall collections saw fresh interpretations of the grid.—
Andrea Zendejas,
Vogue,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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With a background in psychology, intercultural studies, and past work for a professional study abroad agency, Stephens is an endless resource for understanding the cultural variations that come with immigrating to new places globally.—
Essence,
Essence,
10 Sep. 2025
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Lots of variations are being tossed around about whether the originating maker of AGI would be allowed to keep AGI and run it on behalf of the world or be set to the side as a result of the governmental taking of AGI.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Kirk was known for cofounding the conservative organization Turning Point USA and for his controversial takes, which were considered misogynistic, xenophobic, and racist by some.—
Jolene Almendarez,
The Enquirer,
12 Sep. 2025
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Gagné used gear, including a gimbal, Steadicam and even a motion control system to shoot the sequence which in the end were stitched together 10 long takes that were stitched together.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The project features two versions of the title track, which Lanza co-produced with Pearson Sound’s David Kennedy.—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
10 Sep. 2025
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Pricier Microsoft 365 Business plans (starting at $6 per user per month, billed annually) include Teams Essential, along with various other Microsoft apps (such as the desktop versions of Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Word at higher levels).—
John Brandon,
PC Magazine,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Riffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riffs. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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