as in interpretation
a distinct treatment of something (as a story or a play)
a mock news program with humorous riffs on current events
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of riff
This sparkling cocktail is actually a riff on the Cosmopolitan, subbing out the Cointreau or Triple Sec in favor of Contratto Aperitif, an Italian liqueur similar to Campari.
—
Chadner Navarro, Vogue, 10 Feb. 2026
The ad features Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc, Jason Alexander, Jasmine Guy, Jaleel White, Alfonso Ribeiro and Ted Danson, all doing riffs on their past TV characters.
—Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Professional judges from Edible Monterey Bay also awarded Best Use of Foraged Ingredients to Chef Pamela Burns of Wild Plum Café for her riff on steak and eggs, a sautee of king trumpets, enoki and porcini with cloves of garlic and soy emulsion over polenta.
—Laura Ness, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2026
The riffs of a country band trickled from a packed club and into the parking lot, a rock’s throw from Alabama’s hulking college football stadium.
—Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for riff
Chadner Navarro, Vogue, 10 Feb. 2026
The ad features Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc, Jason Alexander, Jasmine Guy, Jaleel White, Alfonso Ribeiro and Ted Danson, all doing riffs on their past TV characters.
—Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Professional judges from Edible Monterey Bay also awarded Best Use of Foraged Ingredients to Chef Pamela Burns of Wild Plum Café for her riff on steak and eggs, a sautee of king trumpets, enoki and porcini with cloves of garlic and soy emulsion over polenta.
—Laura Ness, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2026
The riffs of a country band trickled from a packed club and into the parking lot, a rock’s throw from Alabama’s hulking college football stadium.
—Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for riff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riff
Noun
-
Under the new rules, cardrooms say some of their most popular games may have to be eliminated or significantly changed to comply with the new interpretation of state law.—
Charlie Lapastora,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Our Floriography Dictionary Sources vary on what different flowers symbolize—this is art, not science—but these are some of our favorite interpretations.—
Kathy Barnes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Across all participants, body mass index stood out as one of the strongest drivers of oral microbial variation, suggesting the microbiome of the mouth may reflect a broader metabolic state.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
14 Feb. 2026
-
When a species is reduced to just a few hundred individuals, maintaining healthy genetic variation becomes one of the most important challenges conservationists face.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Another measure, House Bill 1645, would create state versions of FEMA programs as Mississippi officials prepare for reduced federal disaster support.—
ALEX ROZIER Mississippi Today,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Previous versions of the bill failed to gain traction in both chambers last year.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Riff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riff. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
