PALAVER Synonyms: 137 Similar and Opposite Words

palaver 1 of 2

noun

pə-ˈla-vər

Definition of palaver

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

as in chatter

friendly, informal conversation or an instance of this we should get together and have a nice palaver sometime

Synonyms & Similar Words

palaver

2 of 2

verb

as in to chat

to engage in casual or rambling conversation mothers palavering and drinking coffee while watching their children play

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of palaver

Noun

All the palaver over a new stadium, though, can be shelved until the Bears’ season is officially over. — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026 The central feature is a mass-timber column that branches into ceiling ribs, an indoor urban form of the palaver tree where villagers in West Africa gather to resolve conflicts. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 5 May 2025

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

One thoughtful question could turn a confusing discussion into a conversation people can genuinely learn from.

— Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 12 Sep. 2026
The vigils, which drew tens of thousands of people a year, were the only large-scale public commemoration on Chinese soil of the Tiananmen crackdown, discussion of which is heavily censored in mainland China.

— Jennifer Jett, NBC news, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of discussion

Noun

Industry chatter about the potential sale quieted after Vulcan’s recent booster woes.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026
That sparked chatter about potential interest from another Dominican team (such as Licey, given a connection with his uncle, Erick Aybar) and/or from teams in Venezuela, with several reportedly inquiring.

— Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of chatter

Verb

These surrogates, mostly in their 20s and 30s, provide companionship rather than specialized medical care, visiting, chatting, helping clients set up smartphones or accompanying them to medical appointments.

— HUIYEE CHIEW AND LYRIC LI THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026
Through Collect Originals, a user might one day find Tom Brady chatting with Chris Costa, co-founder of CardVault by Tom Brady, about the seven-time Super Bowl winner’s card and memorabilia collection.

— Larry Holder, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of chat

Verb

Inside, under flickering lights, a group of reluctant strangers is coaxed into acting out, in a converted gymnasium, a wild tale promising redemption from agonizing tragedy.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
The hard-throwing righty then coaxed a soft grounder from Luis Arraez to secure his third save of the season.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of coax

Noun

Jonathan said the initial consultation for the surgery will cost $1,200 — but beyond that, the exact price for the procedure is still unclear, leaving him uncertain what route to take.

— Sara Belcher, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2026
Among them, Amazon Beauty is offering one-on-one makeup artist consultations; Wella Professionals is offering dry hair styling and touch-ups; and Anastasia Soare will give a brow artistry masterclass.

— Jennet Jusu, Allure, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of consultation

Verb

During the interview, a mix of languages is spoken, with Ruiz conversing in Spanish, Kvaratskhelia in English and Dembele in French.

— Tom Burrows, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Lawmakers named the bill Adam’s Law, after Adam Raine, a California teen who died by suicide in 2025 after conversing with OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

— Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of converse

Noun

Although the war in Europe and the Pacific dominates debates about Allied misconduct, the colonial character of World War II may tell us more about the origins of our present moment.

— Faisal Devji, Time, 11 Sep. 2026
And yet somehow their killing was subject to endless newsroom debates about language and standards.

— Ayman M. Mohyeldin, Vanity Fair, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of debate

Browse Nearby Words

palatines

palaver

palavered

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Style

“Palaver.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palaver. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of palaver

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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