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
-
The coastal cyclone is expected to bring moderate to heavy snow, along with high winds and possible blizzard conditions for the Carolinas through Saturday night, the weather service's Weather Prediction Center said in a forecast discussion.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Right before the crash, discussions captured on the cockpit voice recorder indicated that the pilot wanted the landing gear to be launched.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
There was some chatter about Alshon’s over-poaching in the final, but sometimes a super-dominant male strategy works.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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Still, his worst game of the year — a four-interception outing in a Week 10 loss to the Rams — again prompted chatter about his ability to perform in the biggest games.—
Peter Sblendorio,
Hartford Courant,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In videos obtained by PEOPLE, Earle and the former Patriots quarterback, 48, could be seen chatting and dancing together in a club.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
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On board, passengers chat politics in Finnish dining cars, clamber into couchettes above strangers on the Trans-Siberian, and share samosas on India’s many raucous mail trains.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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On Wednesday morning, well before the school run started, Mary Granlund was attempting to coax her dog outside for a brief walk in negative-two-degree weather, and her phone was already pinging with texts.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
31 Jan. 2026
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Quietly confident — In spite of all that, Waymo is confident that its vehicles won’t take too much coaxing to get used to London roads.—
Billy Perrigo,
Time,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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These grants are usually in the six-figure range, says Ohinata, and are used for consultations, awareness-raising, and other safeguarding efforts.—
Kristin Houser,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
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My first consultation was with a doctor whom my source told me had done a facelift on a former first lady.—
Patricia Tortolani,
Allure,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The attack Sunday came a few hours after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a new round of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia had been postponed.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
2 Feb. 2026
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The drama feels at its most lived-in and engaging when Sukku and Choi’s characters sit together to share food or talk.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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For example, Los Angeles rapper the Game sent a message saying the team should install phones in Bloods and Crips territories, allowing members of the enemy gangs to converse.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
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All manner of inquiries might be required to tease out of the person what transpired while conversing with the AI.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
17 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Ruhe said the debate reflects lessons learned from nearly two years of war.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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The Fulton County episode and Hanaway’s lawsuit underscore the broader national debate over how elections are conducted, counted, and challenged.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Palaver.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palaver. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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