as in interpretation
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 riff
Andy once in a while plays a little riff, usually in the writing stage.
—
David Chiu, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
The country’s very name is a late invention, a riff on the name of the river that runs through it—Zambezi, a word of uncertain origin.
—Namwali Serpell, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2025
Macchio is currently wrapping up a wildly successful riff on one of his beloved early-career projects: Cobra Kai, which is a series sequel to the Karate Kid films that Macchio anchored.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 24 Mar. 2025
Food Kam & 46 (Section 105): The food truck-turned-vendor makes fun riffs on Hawaiian and Filipino street fare (e.g. tuna tartare or sisig nachos).
—Anna Spiegel, Axios, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for riff
David Chiu, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
The country’s very name is a late invention, a riff on the name of the river that runs through it—Zambezi, a word of uncertain origin.
—Namwali Serpell, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2025
Macchio is currently wrapping up a wildly successful riff on one of his beloved early-career projects: Cobra Kai, which is a series sequel to the Karate Kid films that Macchio anchored.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 24 Mar. 2025
Food Kam & 46 (Section 105): The food truck-turned-vendor makes fun riffs on Hawaiian and Filipino street fare (e.g. tuna tartare or sisig nachos).
—Anna Spiegel, Axios, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for riff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riff
Noun
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Trump has used his order regarding trans athletes in particular to threaten lawsuits and loss of funding for the University of Pennsylvania and multiple educational bodies across Maine for alleged noncompliance with his interpretation of Title IX civil rights law.—
Samantha Riedel,
Them.,
4 Apr. 2025
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Following the hurricane, which lasted three episodes, Danny and Phillips were left to grapple with their conflicting interpretations of their romance.—
Max Gao,
Variety,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Over the years, Puppy Chow variations have popped up almost as robustly as stalks in a corn field.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Apr. 2025
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Molina says some explanations for the disparities could be variation in access to prenatal, labor and delivery, and postpartum care, as well as in state Medicaid coverage.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Overall, Gemini Near Me’s goal is to empower users to become the best version of themselves by diving into self-exploration and embarking on a fascinating self-work journey—made possible by a plethora of interactive features.—
Emma Kershaw,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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In Wright’s version, Powell’s character, Ben Richards, joins a television show where contestants must outrun killers in order to earn money for his sick daughter.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Riff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riff. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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