to riffle

Examples

• All

• The burnt garbage smell of peat wafted downwind, and offshore, the calm water of the bay was riffled by the same gentle breeze.

  Fiction book (1991)

• The brilliant surface of the pool riffled in the gentle, clean breeze.

  Fiction book (2002)

• "A breeze had begun to riffle through the cheatgrass again.

  Fiction book (2001)

• A light wind off the Gulf is riffling over the marsh grass in waves.

  Fiction book (1997)

• A breath of wind riffled the ensign drooping from its staff on the transom.

  Fiction book (1993)

• The bright sun shines in a cloudless sky, and a light breeze riffles the clear waters of an open pool in the sea ice of McMurdo Sound.

  Academic text (2003)

• Down in its trough, the river's edges were crusted with ice, but midstream was still free, the silty gray water riffled by white.

  Fiction book (1991)

• A gentle breeze caused the water to riffle softly, creating tiny waves on the surface.

• The wind began to riffle through the pages of the book, as if teasing them to turn.

Synonyms

S

to stir

vsto riffle

75 1.0

To move slightly after being still

focuses specifically on slight motion that makes surface wavelets rather than general movement

R

to ripple

vsto riffle

49 2.7

To move in small waves on water when wind blows

causes a slight stirring that creates faint small waves

U

to undulate

vsto riffle

10 7.7

To move in smooth waves like tall grass in the wind

causes a brief small disturbance rather than long smooth waves

R

to ruffle

vsto riffle

7 4.2

Disturb a smooth surface so small waves appear

produces only a gentle stirring that mainly makes tiny ripples

C

to cockle

vsto riffle

9.5

To make a surface form small waves or ripples

stirs water slightly to form only temporary small surface waves

How Agitated

to churn

51 4.8

to agitate

9 4.1

to disturb

183 2.1

to riffle

1 7.6

Surface Forms

Etymology