1
as in discussion
an exchange of views for the purpose of exploring a subject or deciding an issue
seemingly endless palaver between the negotiating parties
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in chatter
friendly, informal conversation or an instance of this
we should get together and have a nice palaver sometime
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to chat
to engage in casual or rambling conversation
mothers palavering and drinking coffee while watching their children play
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to coax
to get (someone) to do something by gentle urging, special attention, or flattery
I let the salesclerk at the electronics store palaver me into a service contract that I didn't need
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of palaver
Noah Rothman, National Review, 18 Jan. 2024
The palaver about Prime Minister Liz Truss’s failed tax-cut plan has obscured the way Mr. Bailey politicized the British central bank.
—The Editorial Board, WSJ, 18 Oct. 2022
Becca Rothfeld, The New Yorker, 19 Nov. 2019
See All Example Sentences for palaver
Noun
And to listen to them is to be privy to some of the most easily ignored palaver the global economic elite has to offer.
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 18 Jan. 2024
The palaver about Prime Minister Liz Truss’s failed tax-cut plan has obscured the way Mr. Bailey politicized the British central bank.
—The Editorial Board, WSJ, 18 Oct. 2022
Verb
On the one hand, Hrabal’s palavering bears a direct relation to reality.
—Becca Rothfeld, The New Yorker, 19 Nov. 2019
See All Example Sentences for palaver
Recent Examples of Synonyms for palaver
Noun
-
Meaningful conversations between my wife and me are thwarted by her unwillingness to engage in rational discussions.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
-
The negotiators discussed the Strait of Hormuz, Baghaei said, but did not mention discussion of nuclear weapons.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There was plenty of chatter about keeping an eye on the Lakers as a potential sleeper team in the West before Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) went down with injuries this month.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
-
But most of his chatter during the night was about the larger issues that prompted the tour just a matter of weeks earlier.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
For its part, FreeTaxUSA offers email and chat help for technical issues.—
Kathy Yakal,
PC Magazine,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Elsewhere, Miller interviewed the show’s stars, including Sydney Sweeney, Hunter Schafer and Maude Apatow, but her chat with the Christy star was certainly the buzziest of the three.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The actor hasn't appeared on screen in over 15 years, so the production tried to make the role as attractive as possible to coax Sullivan out of retirement.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Munetaka Murakami coaxed a leadoff walk from Lugo.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Initial consultations and diagnostic testing are the portions most commonly included under standard plans.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Even without full procedure coverage, diagnostic bloodwork and initial consultations are often covered under standard plans.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Oil prices spiked to nearly $120 per barrel earlier in the conflict but had come down last week in the hope that the peace talks would yield some stability.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Last week, oil prices dropped more than 12% on hopes that the Islamabad talks would lead to an off-ramp for the administration to start winding down the war.—
Steve Kopack,
NBC news,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But in my experience, on-duty car salespeople don’t really converse so much as work their way through a script to get whatever’s been sitting on the lot the longest into your driveway.—
Andrew P. Collins,
The Drive,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Organize comfortable chairs and decorative throws to create a cozy spot for conversing around the fire.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
His government promulgated a new constitution after just nine days of debate in the National Assembly.—
Kapil Komireddi,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
-
State funding levels, including Proposition 98 allocations, have also factored into the debate, with union leaders arguing revenue projections are stronger than the district has indicated.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Palaver.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palaver. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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