They then proceeded below the milldam, where there was a strong riffle, with likely looking pools and eddies
Source: wiktionary
Riffle
/ˈɹɪfəl/
Synonyms for "riffle" (96 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: ball up, billow, bollix up, bore, breaker.
- Sentence evidence is available for riffle, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from moby, derived_reverse, opengloss, wordnet, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "riffle".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "riffle"
Keep "riffle" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "riffle" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "riffle", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "riffle" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
17 entriesShowing 16 of 17 words.
More specific
8 entriesCollocations
10 entriescard shuffledeck shufflefluvial rifflequick riffleriffle bedriffle shuffleriffle the cardsriffle the deckriffle throughriver riffle
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
1 entriesTranslations
3 translations across 3 languages.
Bulgarian
1 entries- разбъркване noun (act of shuffling playing cards)
Finnish
1 entries- sekoittaminen noun (act of shuffling playing cards)
Māori
1 entries- riwhiriwhi noun (act of shuffling playing cards)
Sample sentences
4 total sentences available.
The big trout feed aggressively and tend to lose their caution in the rifles.
Source: wiktionary
[...] Brook Drain has now been diverted into a newly dug replacement river section [...]. It has been designed in conjunction with the Environment Agency to hold a much larger volume of water, in order to help with local flooding issues. It also features riffles (shallow sections of water) and side pools where aquatic wildlife can take shelter during storms.
Source: wiktionary
Near-synonym: rifle
Source: wiktionary
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "riffle"?
Closest matches include ball up, billow, bollix up, bore, breaker.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "riffle"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.