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
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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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Leadership Commitment When managers champion financial well-being alongside total rewards discussions and career development conversations, financial literacy and security stop being side topics.—
Marthin De Beer,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
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Student board members can weigh in on discussions and debates but hold non-voting positions.—
Rachel Wegner,
The Tennessean,
15 July 2025
Noun
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There was the usual chatter about 'whether to rest the starters or not', but they good guys weren't going to lay down and hand those cocky Patriots a 16-0 record.—
Geoffrey Knox,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
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If the enthusiasm for the F1 flick may have helped rev up ESPN2’s British Grand Prix deliveries—the July 6 race, won by McLaren’s Lando Norris, averaged 1.5 million viewers, up 19% versus the year-ago telecast—Cue’s offer may well supersede any chatter about linear TV ratings.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
10 July 2025
Verb
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The Drake Equation, created in 1961 by astronomer Frake Drake, is a way researchers guesstimate how many alien civilizations might be chatting out there in the Milky Way.—
Clyde Wayne Crews Jr,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
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On the outing, the couple was photographed walking together side-by-side, chatting and smiling.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
13 July 2025
Verb
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Key moment With the bases loaded and one out in the fourth inning, Gausman coaxed Gustavo Campero into a 1-3 double play.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 July 2025
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Learn more about how an infinite complexity of brews is coaxed out of those three simple ingredients by touring a brewery.—
Jessica Kozuka,
Travel + Leisure,
6 July 2025
Noun
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During a 10-week consultation, the couple were given a sheet with statistics about what their life could be like if Jenner carried the four babies to term.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 July 2025
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Browse through the hundreds of orchid varieties in their greenhouse or schedule a consultation for a custom arrangement with designer Irene Cherchuck.—
Brennan Long,
Southern Living,
11 July 2025
Noun
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Republic claimed the union wasn't negotiating in good faith, while the Teamsters accused the company of abandoning talks and refusing to continue over the weekend.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
14 July 2025
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Meanwhile, Trump has intensified the talks with other trading partners, leveraging threats of higher tariffs to extract concessions, with an apparent target on curbing transshipments linked to China.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
14 July 2025
Verb
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On Saturday, the protesters clad in Mexico jerseys and waving Mexican, Salvadoran and Honduran flags chanted and conversed mostly in English.—
Emiliano Tahui Gómez,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
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Daboll was conversing at length with defensive coordinator Shane Bowen during Wednesday’s practice, overseeing an individual defensive backs drill and reviewing their plan for the upcoming 7-on-7 periods.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
18 June 2025
Noun
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Where interest rates should be today, and when they should be reduced, is already a topic of debate inside the Fed, a decision, it should be noted, that cannot be made unilaterally by the chair.—
Ron Insana,
CNBC,
11 July 2025
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This debate poses an obstacle to any easy policy wins for the Trump administration on IVF.—
Lucy Tu,
The Atlantic,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Palaver.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palaver. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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