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
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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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Yet the time when the ocean was treated as an afterthought in climate discussions is ending.—
Natalie Sum Yue Chung,
Fortune,
3 May 2026
-
Spirit's cash reserves had dwindled in recent days as talks with the government broke down, according to multiple sources familiar with the discussions.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
Noun
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Much of the chatter seems to be more about the desperation to complete a first double over Liverpool in a decade.—
Chris McKenna,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
-
Despite a L’Oréal sponsorship this time around, there isn’t much makeup chatter in The Devil Wears Prada 2, either—though Hathaway’s near-identical face at 43 is an aesthetic triumph.—
Faran Krentcil,
Allure,
4 May 2026
Verb
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The two men, who were flanked by their wives, chatted during the parade, which was capped with a flyover of four F-35 military jets.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
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Flay first revealed that girlfriend Williamson was becoming a team captain while chatting with PEOPLE at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF) in February.—
Erin Clements,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The mammal’s health deteriorated as it became repeatedly stranded in shallow waters, and unsuccessful efforts to coax it toward deeper seas were live-streamed across the globe.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 May 2026
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These versatile evergreen shrubs have small, dense leaves that can be carved into sculptural shapes or coaxed into sophisticated hedges.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
1 May 2026
Noun
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This year, new creative partner Climate Spring will offer yet another dedicated meeting for each fellow with a Climate Spring development executive to provide development advice and consultation on their script.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
30 Apr. 2026
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Russian drone incursions last year prompted Poland to formally invoke NATO's Article 4, which initiates official consultations among allies regarding a direct security threat.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Starmer’s Labour colleague David Lammy, who arranged the talks, thought that Obama could offer useful advice to Starmer, the son of a working-class toolmaker.—
Peter Slevin,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
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Alternativa is addressing the issue by creating a distribution arm that has already been in talks with platforms, TV channels, in-flight systems and other ancillary distribution modes.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
3 May 2026
Verb
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Dame Anna Wintour, Grace Coddington, Karen Elson, Karlie Kloss, and Donatella Versace conversed in front of a Rothko, estimated at $80 million.—
Elise Taylor,
Vanity Fair,
30 Apr. 2026
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The action is much slower, and sometimes people just want to converse during the game.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The early read was that Alphabet , Microsoft , Meta Platforms , and Amazon all passed with flying colors, but beneath the strong headline numbers, a more nuanced debate is taking shape.—
Paulina Likos,Zev Fima,
CNBC,
1 May 2026
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There have been debates about the entertainment value of the Premier League all season, but the top-flight of English football remains the least predictable of Europe’s top leagues.—
Graham Ruthven,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Palaver.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palaver. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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