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
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
From the pristine production to the runs and riffs, Kehlani puts on a masterclass of technical songbuilding and lyrical storytelling.
—Adelle Platon, VIBE.com, 27 Apr. 2026
The Hill Street special riffs on the salt-and-pepper pork chops found at Chinatown’s Full House, here reimagined into a quasi-katsu sando.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
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
From the pristine production to the runs and riffs, Kehlani puts on a masterclass of technical songbuilding and lyrical storytelling.
—Adelle Platon, VIBE.com, 27 Apr. 2026
The Hill Street special riffs on the salt-and-pepper pork chops found at Chinatown’s Full House, here reimagined into a quasi-katsu sando.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riffs
Noun
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Although some stricter interpretations of the faith may discourage interventions, Chidester said that attitude contrasts with the broader cultural landscape of Salt Lake City, where he’s based.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 May 2026
-
Most of these inventive interpretations for the foreign territories have never been seen in person.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
4 May 2026
Noun
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To quantify spatial variations, peak emission frequencies are translated into radial distances and compared against a polynomial baseline to derive ( r_\perp ), a measure of perpendicular displacement.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
3 May 2026
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The buckling may start in the middle, and minor variations in a given can’s shape and size might affect when the first ring emerges.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
2 May 2026
Noun
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But Tom Peter, the mastermind behind the Lismore, Australia five-piece, is restless enough to have churned out three full-length records in just over a year, generally adopting the stance that demos and final takes are one in the same.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
8 May 2026
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And then Hathaway won an Oscar for it, and everyone was entirely normal about it, flowing with generous takes.—
Chris Feil,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
Noun
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The most common versions of this allow for an unlimited amount of money to be raised within a year.—
Dalila Muata,
NBC news,
9 May 2026
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These versions only reveal how captivating the scores are at their core, no matter if they’re being played through a 64 KB sound chip or from a symphony hall.—
Billie Bugara,
Pitchfork,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Riffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riffs. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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