1
as in chatting
to engage in casual or rambling conversation
chattered idly while waiting in line
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in shouting
to speak rapidly, inarticulately, and usually unintelligibly
the parrot chatters all day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 chattering
Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2026
In lieu of keyboards clicking, the sounds of chattering and forks scraping plates fill the space.
—Kansas City Star, 4 May 2026
That could push cold air south and set Hoosiers' teeth chattering.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 17 Nov. 2025
The poem conjures up images of a family dinner being prepared, the orchard itself wrapped in the comforting hum of bees, the chattering of young girls.
—Literary Hub, 15 Aug. 2025
Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 28 May 2026
But a chattering bird builds no nest!
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026
Tabakis lightly strums and plucks over a glowing drone and chattering birds, offering an ecumenical introduction, a smiling welcome.
—Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 14 May 2026
The thickening afternoon light gave the square an air of drama, like a movie set readied for action, but there was no one around to cast as extras; chattering tourists fill it only during the brief summer high season.
—Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 8 May 2026
There’s an amulet (one of those glowing doohickeys the fate of the cosmos hangs on), and your heart may sink every time someone starts chattering about it.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 6 May 2026
Hardcore Survivor fans love to discuss and debate the intricacies of the game and their favorite seasons and winners in the same way that sports fans enjoy chattering nonstop about their teams.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Feb. 2026
Despite the teeth-chattering weather, a crush formed outside (SUB)MERCER, a discreet club tucked beneath The Mercer Hotel in SoHo, with everyone vying for a nod from the bouncer or publicist Sasha Sheehan.
—Kelsey Stewart, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2026
Her sisters sat chattering about the heat, the traffic, and the rain.
—Allegra Goodman, Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
Molly’s dialogue meanders between mindless chattering and singing to herself, musing on the mythological origins of asteroid names, recalling bittersweet memories of her wife and reflecting on faith, science and the afterlife.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2026
In lieu of keyboards clicking, the sounds of chattering and forks scraping plates fill the space.
—Kansas City Star, 4 May 2026
That could push cold air south and set Hoosiers' teeth chattering.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 17 Nov. 2025
The poem conjures up images of a family dinner being prepared, the orchard itself wrapped in the comforting hum of bees, the chattering of young girls.
—Literary Hub, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
Wednesday evening, dozens crowded into the community room of a local church, chattering in Spanish and English in the fading light of day as part of a forum on the upcoming ICE facility.
—Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 28 May 2026
But a chattering bird builds no nest!
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026
Tabakis lightly strums and plucks over a glowing drone and chattering birds, offering an ecumenical introduction, a smiling welcome.
—Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 14 May 2026
The thickening afternoon light gave the square an air of drama, like a movie set readied for action, but there was no one around to cast as extras; chattering tourists fill it only during the brief summer high season.
—Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 8 May 2026
There’s an amulet (one of those glowing doohickeys the fate of the cosmos hangs on), and your heart may sink every time someone starts chattering about it.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 6 May 2026
Hardcore Survivor fans love to discuss and debate the intricacies of the game and their favorite seasons and winners in the same way that sports fans enjoy chattering nonstop about their teams.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Feb. 2026
Despite the teeth-chattering weather, a crush formed outside (SUB)MERCER, a discreet club tucked beneath The Mercer Hotel in SoHo, with everyone vying for a nod from the bouncer or publicist Sasha Sheehan.
—Kelsey Stewart, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2026
Her sisters sat chattering about the heat, the traffic, and the rain.
—Allegra Goodman, Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chattering
Noun
-
Eichenberger recently converted one of the ponds into a small babbling brook to maintain a steady flow of water.—
Lennie Omalza,
Louisville Courier Journal,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The internet has spoken—the babbling of Minions will be heard at the 2026 Winter Olympics.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Imagine that a person was mainly chatting on topics such as how to cook an egg or fix a car.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
After chatting about the war in Iran, immigration and the economy, Clark asked Campa-Najjar what set him apart from other candidates.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Officers, often summoned by principals or teacers, escalated some situations by shouting obscenities or insults.—
Clare Amari,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
-
Pineda’s arrest also caused recurring nightmares that leave him shouting and thrashing around in bed.—
Andrea Castillo,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
In a loss, OpenAI could face pressure to implement remedies like age-gating free ChatGPT accounts to protect kids, shutting down conversations that discuss violence and suicide, and removing features that the state says deceptively make ChatGPT feel like talking to a human.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
1 June 2026
-
Cannavaro is not the first global football star to infiltrate Uzbek football (Rivaldo played for Bunyodkor for three years towards the end of his career) but his appointment certainly got a football-mad nation talking.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
It’s known to cause drooling, diarrhea, colic, abdominal pain, depression and even death if your dog isn’t promptly treated.—
Amy DeYoung,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
-
Fans are already drooling over them.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Some of the prattle can feel like treading water, a delaying tactic until the inevitable confrontation scene.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The bizarre reality of daily life in a Southeast Asian scam compound—the tactics, the tone, the mix of cruelty and upbeat corporate prattle—is revealed at an unprecedented level of resolution in a leak of documents to WIRED from a whistleblower inside one such sprawling fraud operation.—
Andy Greenberg,
Wired News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Players will still be able to cover their mouths when conversing normally, but outlawing the act during disagreements is designed to remove plausible deniability for any player accused of making discriminatory remarks while their mouth is obscured.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
-
Modway’s luxe daybed is the statement piece that turns a patio into a paradise, and the roomy design offers a go-to spot for reading, napping, and conversing.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
In an eventual 57-point Hurricanes victory, Stevenson was balling and jabbering about it, too, to every Wildcats pass catcher within earshot.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chattering. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
