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
Relevance
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
-
Rain is expected to return to the Central Valley late Monday, according to the weather service’s forecast discussion.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
Updated February 20,
Sacbee.com,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Other than Griego’s questions, there was no board comment or discussion.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
This year’s unexpected winner, however worthy, is likely to re-stoke debate over the category within BAFTA and kids and family circles, following chatter last year after Paddington In Peru was excluded from the long-list.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Grinning and giggling, their chatter in between camera setups is all over the place.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As attendees chatted over pizza and Jack Daniel’s, Thiel slipped in through the back door, joining the hipsters on folding chairs.—
James Duesterberg,
New Yorker,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Come bake and learn with us—and don't forget to join the Bake Club group chat over on Substack.—
Emily Elias,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
These delicate fruits are picked before they're fully ripened, which means that the right storage methods are key to coax the best flavor and quality out of them.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Meanwhile, outreach workers have also been trying to coax homeless New Yorkers off the street and into shelters and warming centers.—
Anthony Izaguirre,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The bill passed its first discussion unanimously earlier this month, then advanced to public consultation before the final vote.—
Alessandra Freitas,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
For the first time since the war began, members invoked Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty, the mechanism for collective consultation when a member feels its security is threatened.—
Frederic Lemieux,
Fortune,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But the talks have made little tangible progress, and Iran partially closed the vital Strait of Hormuz for military drills.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
23 Feb. 2026
-
There was Magic and Kareem and Jeanie Buss, who all gave compelling talks, very appropriate.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Voices conversed in friendly banter as a speaker boomed old Motown hits and even some Jethro Tull.—
Bryan Hendricks,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
-
An earpiece was initially proposed strictly for emergencies — earthquakes, sudden weather changes — but Honnold readily agreed to stay connected and converse occasionally with the broadcast team below.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Advertisement Hours before Andrew’s arrest, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was asked if a debate over the royal, and his connections to Epstein, could still take place.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Sappy, sure, but better than this faux-Kantian debate about what’s real or not real.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Palaver.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palaver. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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