as in interpretations
a distinct treatment of something (as a story or a play)
a mock news program with humorous riffs on current events
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of riffs
Ahead, 11 highly quaffable recipes—from martini riffs to sour variations—for welcoming the new year in high spirits.
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Boutayna Chokrane, Vogue, 29 Dec. 2024
Expect riffs on local classics like swordfish curry puffs, trout-roe egg tarts, and lobster noodles made partially from fish bones.
—Chloe Sachdev, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Dec. 2024
From spirited classics to new-school riffs.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 19 Dec. 2024
Her music, featuring bilingual songs, intertwines supple bass riffs with her radiant melodic voice.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 18 Dec. 2024
With a few seasonal riffs on classic drink recipes and others brimming with seasonal cheer, toast to a happy holiday with these popular drink recipes.
—Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Dec. 2024
The who's who Most people know Sykes for her biting comedic riffs and TV hits.
—Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 18 Dec. 2024
Her free-associative lyrics are either mesmerizingly strange or plainly hilarious, and her tangled, clanging riffs have an oddly soothing effect.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 17 Dec. 2024
Between coverage of such alleged profiteering, UnitedHealthcare’s grim reputation, and disclosures of the millions the company spends on lobbying and Thompson’s $10 million salary, there was hardly a shortage of material for vicious riffs.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 4 Dec. 2024
Boutayna Chokrane, Vogue, 29 Dec. 2024
Expect riffs on local classics like swordfish curry puffs, trout-roe egg tarts, and lobster noodles made partially from fish bones.
—Chloe Sachdev, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Dec. 2024
From spirited classics to new-school riffs.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 19 Dec. 2024
Her music, featuring bilingual songs, intertwines supple bass riffs with her radiant melodic voice.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 18 Dec. 2024
With a few seasonal riffs on classic drink recipes and others brimming with seasonal cheer, toast to a happy holiday with these popular drink recipes.
—Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Dec. 2024
The who's who Most people know Sykes for her biting comedic riffs and TV hits.
—Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 18 Dec. 2024
Her free-associative lyrics are either mesmerizingly strange or plainly hilarious, and her tangled, clanging riffs have an oddly soothing effect.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 17 Dec. 2024
Between coverage of such alleged profiteering, UnitedHealthcare’s grim reputation, and disclosures of the millions the company spends on lobbying and Thompson’s $10 million salary, there was hardly a shortage of material for vicious riffs.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 4 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riffs
Noun
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Opposition Despite the unanimous support of the committee members, some attorneys and First Amendment advocates testified that the underlying bill was far too vague and subject to wide interpretations.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
8 Apr. 2025
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The cumulative effect of those interpretations directly shapes how socially well—or unwell—people feel.—
Gillian Oakenfull,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Check for misspellings in the domain name of email addresses and look for variations in the logo of the company.—
Audrey Nguyen,
NPR,
24 Dec. 2024
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Kind demonstrates his emphatic comic range both vocally and physically — even getting laughs from variations of chair slouching — as a jealous doctor whose wife bonds with the Elephant Man.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
23 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The texture of traditional versions is gloopy, closer to melted ice cream than anything else.—
Nicholas Florko,
The Atlantic,
24 Dec. 2024
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Eugene Levy, Zach Galifianakis, and Eva Longoria play fictional versions of themselves cast as Charles, Oliver, and Mabel, respectively, and naturally get into the sleuthing spirit.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
24 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Riffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riffs. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.
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