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
-
The eyeball test says BYU and Cincinnati are legit good, and Texas Tech belongs in that same discussion.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Oct. 2025
-
And this model of access, dependent on negotiation and renegotiation and repeated discussions about individual items, is neither sustainable nor capable of delivering aid at the scale that is needed.—
Anna Halford,
Time,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Now, how about that chatter about a possible WBD bid?—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Glenn's winless start through the first six games has caused chatter to begin in the media about the possibility that New York could move on from Glenn before next season.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Amid all the fanfare, the SKIMS founder had a chance to chat with Variety on the carpet and admitted that going incognito was a last minute decision that her makeup artist wasn't so pleased about.—
Michelle Lee,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
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With all that, and more to come, including the final selections and programming categories of world premieres and more, Hernandez chatted with me about what Sundance is planning for 2026, the loss of Bob Redford, and what’s in store for the big move to Boulder, CO for the 2027 festival.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
One of his former teachers was still there, coaxing students to line up neatly.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Landau had to coax them into it.—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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During his first Zoom consultation with clients, Perri always asked them to share their story.—
Rustin Dodd,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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After corresponding with Hallidie, Gillham invited him to Kansas City for a consultation in 1879.—
Michael Wells,
Kansas City Star,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The best way to silence such talk is on the pitch.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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The records obtained by The Star, Kehoe’s internal calendar entries, did not reveal the substance of the governor’s recent talks.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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For Dalio’s experience to be replicated with Digital Ray, which will be able to converse with users through both text and voice, the stakes are high.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
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Now in a stunning new home, these objects seem to breathe and converse as never before.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Japan’s new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, has earned a reputation as a hardliner on immigration, an image that helped propel her to power amid rising nationalist sentiment and debate over Japan’s identity amid demographic decline.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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As in years past, there was plenty of heated debate, some clever campaigning on social media, a last-minute push for votes from A-list significant others and a few races that were neck-and-neck right up until the last ballot was cast.—
Alex Apatoff,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Palaver.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palaver. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
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