Thesaurus results for BANTER

banter 1 of 2

noun

Definition of banter

as in joke

good-natured teasing or exchanging of clever remarks members of the Algonquin Round Table were known for their brilliant and witty banter

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banter

2 of 2

verb

ˈban-tər

as in to joke

to make jokes the teacher bantered pleasantly, albeit a bit awkwardly, with the students at the school dance

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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 banter

Noun

Meanwhile, sitcoms like Friends marked a movement toward irony in comedy with its trademark tongue-in-cheek banter and sarcasm, Thompson explains. — Liz Regalia, Parents, 23 June 2026 Before the gaggle of girls swarms her apartment, there’s a sweet moment when Steve drops his daughter off early, and the two divorcees engage in some flirty banter over pizza prep. — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 17 June 2026

Verb

In turbulent times, there was something soothing about seeing Lineker back on a couch, beaming at us from ITV’s Brooklyn set, bantering with presenter Laura Woods and the panel (including former BBC pal Ian Wright) just like old times. — Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 21 June 2026 On the train ride, fans sang and chanted and bantered with one another. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for banter

Recent Examples of Synonyms for banter

Noun

The problem is, having our President butt in here was a joke.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
The two constants in the show, tap-dancing and short ridiculous jokes, start to have the same rhythms and sharp bam-bam-bam impact.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2026

Definition of joke

Noun

At Balenciaga, where Pierpaolo Piccioli made his debut with bubble silhouettes that reference an iconic dress by the house founder and chez Jean Paul Gaultier, Duran Lantink had the last laugh—as an enfant terrible is wont to do.

— Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 10 July 2026
There are genuine laughs sprinkled in but too many elements land with a thud — including an excessive amount of comedic gore that grows tiresome and a mailman/narrator gag that just isn’t funny.

— Randy Myers, Mercury News, 9 July 2026

Definition of laugh

Noun

To be sure, Maher’s ready wit and spontaneous repartee as a talk show host were central themes for the parade of chums who praised the honoree.

— Paul Harris, Variety, 29 June 2026
The two-minute trailer includes a recreation of the famous sailor-kissing-a-nurse photo from V-J Day, a woman insulting David’s butter churning, some trench warfare repartee about the looks of a soldier’s love back at home, the Boston Tea Party, and jokes about child labor.

— Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 11 June 2026

Definition of repartee

Noun

Hudson showed some subtle support for the jesting knocks to her boyfriend by reposting a clip of his final joke shared on Fox News' official X page.

— Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
No matter what happened, Dunham could not seem to help posting through it, her public persona one of infinite jesting confession.

— Madeline Leung Coleman, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2026

Definition of jesting

Noun

Widdecombe’s death has shaken British politics, silencing a longtime conservative voice from Parliament and Europe who later became a Reform UK firebrand remembered by friends for personal warmth and sharp humor.

— Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
The humor—dry, humane, occasionally absurd—is ever-present … The Vermont setting, spare and bracing, acts as a quiet amplifier of these idiosyncrasies, while Mason remains attuned to the natural world.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026

Definition of humor

Noun

Emmys season is about ot begin, and with it, a slew of contenders destined for nominations and memorialization by way of snubs chatter.

— Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 4 July 2026
There is a lot of chatter out there on the interwebs about who will and won’t be in the house for Big Brother season 28.

— Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 2026