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
Parker confirms that a riff on a classic painkiller cocktail is one of the most popular items on the menu of the team’s latest pop-up bar.
—
Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Jan. 2025
Erickson, Stiller and production designer Jeremy Hindle have a knack for building setups that riff on corporations’ uncanny, infantilizing methods of control, yet feel more oblique and mysterious than straight satire.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 7 Jan. 2025
As a riff on another classic dessert (strawberry cheesecake), these cookies have a gooey cream cheese center and bits of fresh strawberry throughout the dough.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 14 Jan. 2025
Wayne’s muscular guitar riff and electric energy on the song became one of the group’s defining musical moments.
—Darryn King, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for riff 
Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Jan. 2025
Erickson, Stiller and production designer Jeremy Hindle have a knack for building setups that riff on corporations’ uncanny, infantilizing methods of control, yet feel more oblique and mysterious than straight satire.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 7 Jan. 2025
As a riff on another classic dessert (strawberry cheesecake), these cookies have a gooey cream cheese center and bits of fresh strawberry throughout the dough.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 14 Jan. 2025
Wayne’s muscular guitar riff and electric energy on the song became one of the group’s defining musical moments.
—Darryn King, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for riff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riff
Noun
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Trump’s executive order engages in his own constitutional interpretation that is arguably in conflict with the Court’s.—
Jeannie Suk Gersen,
The New Yorker,
22 Jan. 2025
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Their interpretation of the espresso martini looks to Mexico.—
Christina Liao,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The nomination marks a variation from Trump's anti-establishment rhetoric.—
Zac Anderson,
USA TODAY,
27 Jan. 2025
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The two tones are closely related, and while there are the sections of lighter hair clearly pop, the variation is unbelievably smooth (much like the blowout itself).—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The song’s sound and message resonated with listeners, prompting Lake to release his eight-track EP Hard Fought Hallelujah: Heavyweight Edition, featuring various versions of the song, including live, demo, acoustic and instrumental versions.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
22 Jan. 2025
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The Spanish language version of the White House website was deleted after the inauguration yesterday.—
Kristen Waggoner,
Newsweek,
22 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near riff
Cite this Entry
“Riff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riff. Accessed 5 Feb. 2025.
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