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
At this modern riff on a ryokan, there are just 25 roomy pavilions, all facing the blue-green river.
—
Christina Liao, Vogue, 15 Apr. 2025
Joining Zauner and her bandmates for the special rendition of the Plastic Beach hit was Ginger Root, who’s currently opening for them on tour, while Japanese Breakfast touring member Christabel Lin played the song’s earworm riff on electric violin.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 14 Apr. 2025
This riff on aglio e olio uses a whole head of roasted garlic.
—Natasha Frost, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Over the years there’s been countless riffs on the sweeping low frame design with many conjuring up images of baskets filled with flowers riding alongside a canal in the summertime in Europe.
—Trinity Francis, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for riff
Christina Liao, Vogue, 15 Apr. 2025
Joining Zauner and her bandmates for the special rendition of the Plastic Beach hit was Ginger Root, who’s currently opening for them on tour, while Japanese Breakfast touring member Christabel Lin played the song’s earworm riff on electric violin.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 14 Apr. 2025
This riff on aglio e olio uses a whole head of roasted garlic.
—Natasha Frost, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Over the years there’s been countless riffs on the sweeping low frame design with many conjuring up images of baskets filled with flowers riding alongside a canal in the summertime in Europe.
—Trinity Francis, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for riff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riff
Noun
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Yes, many families absolutely lean into the dress code of cowboy boots, lariats, cowboy hats and other committed interpretations of cowboy formal.—
Margaux Lushing,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
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All are valid interpretations, but none fully explores the nuances of why so many women turn to alcohol in the first place.—
Jessica Guerrieri,
People.com,
9 May 2025
Noun
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The data reveals significant variation in how individuals maintain or develop their leadership capabilities over time.—
Joseph Folkman,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
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In a study published in the Journal of Animal Cognition by Hungarian scientists, pups were faced with different variations of the same physical challenge, passing through an opening in a wall, using openings of different sizes.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
Noun
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Its success inspired a US version to be made in 2010 starring Chloe Grace Moretz and Kodi Smit-McPhee as the couple of solitary teenagers – one a vampire – who strike up an unlikely but soothing friendship.—
Caroline Frost,
Deadline,
10 May 2025
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Certain classics like Little Women have been adapted multiple times, with each generation of moviegoer getting their definitive version.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
EW.com,
10 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Riff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riff. Accessed 15 May. 2025.
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