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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in to joke
to make jokes
the teacher bantered pleasantly, albeit a bit awkwardly, with the students at the school dance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of banter
Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Kele’s first sit-down with Jeff is full of laughter, compliments and lighthearted banter, but the host is quick to point out that the tribe is 0-3.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 24 Sep. 2025
Tom Tapp, Deadline, 16 July 2025
The two then bantered with each other back and forth on the site.
—Jolene Almendarez, The Enquirer, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for banter
Noun
But the banter took a darker turn as the match moved into the afternoon.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Kele’s first sit-down with Jeff is full of laughter, compliments and lighthearted banter, but the host is quick to point out that the tribe is 0-3.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
Longtime fans came to expect Farrell, wine bottle in hand, bantering and sometimes raging between songs, but his perspective was almost always incisive and entertaining.
—Tom Tapp, Deadline, 16 July 2025
The two then bantered with each other back and forth on the site.
—Jolene Almendarez, The Enquirer, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for banter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for banter
Noun
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According to The New York Times, Chappelle — who has been under fired for his transphobic jokes in the past — used his comedy set at the Riyadh Comedy Festival to speak about the lack of freedom of speech in the United States, especially in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s killing.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
3 Oct. 2025
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People taking offense at jokes simply didn’t land as a news story anymore.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In fact, the toddler's laugh can actually be heard on the record.—
Mark Gray,
PEOPLE,
5 Oct. 2025
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Like most anthologies, horror or otherwise, they can be hit or miss, though just about every one of the individual segments in the franchise is good for a scare or at least a laugh.—
A.A. Dowd,
Vulture,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The action flows, the badinage is fast and fun.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
28 Aug. 2025
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Each bus has a pair of hosts, whose badinage is corny but crowd-pleasing.—
Patricia Marx,
New Yorker,
5 May 2025
Noun
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At one point, O’Steen was confused by a question, and the resulting back-and-forth was reminiscent of an Abbott and Costello repartee.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Sep. 2025
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Hoffman and Jonsson are both brilliant, vulnerable in their humanity in the face of such unfathomable conditions, but their repartee does seem forced and often maudlin.—
Gregory Nussen,
Deadline,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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By pivoting back to pop anthems with humor, empathy, a little fury and a lot of wisdom, Swift ensures that ascent will continue.—
Jason Lipshutz,
Billboard,
3 Oct. 2025
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For Beckham, the choice carried both humor and fashion weight.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Some online chatter has also attributed the smaller options to the rise of Wegovy, Ozempic and other weight loss drugs.—
Jordan Valinsky,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
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Rodger’s upcoming debut novel, which is due to publish in 2027, has been directing chatter in worldwide circles, leading to the auction.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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With time, their caustic raillery transforms into sincere attachment.—
Charlie Tyson,
The Atlantic,
13 May 2021
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French’s evocation of place, a rural way of life and overall creepiness are superb, as is the dialogue, a festival of Irish raillery and repartee.—
Washington Post,
Washington Post,
14 Oct. 2020
Noun
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None of this will keep Republicans and conservatives from attacking the reconciliation bill with smoke, mirrors and persiflage.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Aug. 2022
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As Nixon’s political strategist, Kevin Phillips, told the New York Times in 1970: All the talk about Republicans making inroads into the Negro vote is persiflage.—
Jane Coaston,
Vox,
12 Oct. 2018
Cite this Entry
“Banter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/banter. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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