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

Their easy banter in a new AD video tour of the film set feels instantly familiar, echoing the dynamic between sisters Sally (Bullock) and Gillian Owens (Kidman) nearly three decades after Practical Magic first cast its spell on audiences in 1998. — Livia Caligor, Architectural Digest, 10 Sep. 2026 The banter between the two gives McDonagh’s script its usual comic crackle. — Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Verb

John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell, Steve Buscemi and Parker Posey were all on hand to banter about the new movie with the global media ahead of its world premiere later in the evening. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026 Meanwhile, Johnson reprises his role as Moana's bantering reluctant partner, the shapeshifting trickster demigod Maui, alongside Jemaine Clement again voicing the conceited giant crustacean Tamatoa. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for banter

Recent Examples of Synonyms for banter

Noun

Its frothy, pastel hues and single moment of contrived levity (when one dance claims a trumpet solo for a joke about jamming her toe) is one of those quintessential examples of Balanchine’s repertoire showing its age.

— Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
And the Longhorns’ quarterback, Arch Manning, was the butt of the joke.

— Noah White, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of joke

Noun

But acknowledging a property’s cheesy elements isn’t the same as generating consistent laughs from the situation.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Among the biggest laughs of the ceremony came during Friml’s take on an awards-show in memoriam.

— Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of laugh

Noun

The speed and clarity with which Cruise delivers that monologue extends to his interactions with his co-stars in scenes that recall the whip-smart comedies of Preston Sturges in their fast badinage.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2026
Left on their own, boisterous badinage between old school British thespian Shaw and giggly, hyper-ventilating wannabe movie star Dreyfuss has taken hold.

— Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 10 Mar. 2026

Definition of badinage

Noun

Beyond the repartee between Nick and Sam, Addy and Wyatt share a sibling-like relationship that could turn into something more, especially since Wyatt is nursing a broken heart following the sudden end of his engagement.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026
Her popular partner is Coyotec — an artificial intelligence bot programmed to mimic a radio repartee.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 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

The event, known for its blend of philanthropy, politics and humor, also featured comedian Jim Gaffigan, who poked fun at the influential crowd gathered in the ballroom.

— Dick Brennan, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Cora Frazier has contributed humor writing to The New Yorker since 2012.

— The New Yorker, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of humor

Noun

After the first 10 handshakes, the chatter softens to a murmur.

— Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2026
White space opportunities like clinical skin care, clean makeup and designer fragrances are often cited by industry analysts as potential areas of growth, and there is considerable chatter about the company’s M&A strategy.

— Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of chatter

Noun

With time, their caustic raillery transforms into sincere attachment.

— Charlie Tyson, The Atlantic, 13 May 2021
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