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
Several basslines created by Reeves became the foundational riffs for some of the most dynamic tracks.
—
Steve Appleford, SPIN, 29 May 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
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
Steve Appleford, SPIN, 29 May 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
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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Similar variations abound from campus to campus and across the different states and universities across the US – confusing students and employers alike.—
Bryan Penprase,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
In most Cucuteni-Trypillia settlements, mega-sites appear to be well-planned and systematically arranged, with occasional size variations among the houses.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
30 May 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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Customers say this pool easily fits six people, but Intex also makes bigger and smaller versions of the pool priced between $88 and $188 on sale now.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
30 May 2026
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The delivery system for injectable versions of weight loss drugs is more complicated than for a pill.—
Maia Rosenfeld,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Riffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riffs. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
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