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
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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
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The discussions come in the wake of the shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school last month that federal officials have said was carried out by a transgender shooter, according to a person familiar with the matter.—
Alanna Durkin Richer,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Sep. 2025
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Professors will record their lectures and other classroom discussions in a professional television studio, with quality lighting and audio.—
John Wisely,
Freep.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Two types of story dominated the chatter in the newsroom this week.—
Leonie Kidd,
CNBC,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Read the Room While everyone’s all for friendly chatter before the game or between plays, once the ball’s in the air, many folks will want to focus all attention on what’s happening on screen.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
At the WellChild Awards in London on Monday, May 8, Harry, 40, chatted with 13-year-old Grace Tutt, a Special Recognition winner who uses a wheelchair following a bus crash.—
Erin Hill,
People.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Your team members can simply dive right in and start chatting with little training, which is ideal for a communication app.—
John Brandon,
PC Magazine,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Steve gently coaxes him back to school, where the film crew is causing havoc.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
5 Sep. 2025
-
After ordering his security detail to cut the feed on all his cameras, Prater captures Harrison at gunpoint and coaxes Dexter to return to the wine room.—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The survey, purportedly designed to influence Treasury consultations on remote gambling taxation, represents the latest salvo in the industry's campaign against regulatory tightening.—
Boaz Sobrado,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Avelar started by reaching out to Melinda Farina from The Beauty Brokers, a consultation service that matches patients with the right plastic surgeon for them.—
Hedy Phillips,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The railroad’s willingness to pay the bill, including slimming down its own office payroll to free up more funds, appears to have limited the reputational damage enough for serious merger talks to proceed on down the tracks.—
Jeremy Lott,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
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However, the reality is that peace talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the US and Europe are clearly stalled, if at worse dead with many contentions from both sides surrounding security concerns and, importantly, trade sanctions.—
Earl Carr,
Forbes.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The goal here is to find a place to regularly converse with guys.—
Essence,
Essence,
5 Sep. 2025
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McLaren and her team work on residential and commercial projects nationwide, incorporating an artful blend of styles and plenty of surprising details, from bold wall conversing to unexpected color palettes.—
Elizabeth Stamp,
Architectural Digest,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The debate may indeed seem frivolous and one of luxury to many, but come next May, MIA will take it up a notch.—
Vinod Sreeharsha,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
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For better or worse, the richest have long been able to wrest stars from the less well-off; there is, though, a welcome debate to be had about how much PSR solidifies the status quo.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Palaver.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palaver. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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