PALAVER Synonyms: 137 Similar and Opposite Words

palaver 1 of 2

noun

pə-ˈla-vər

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

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Relevance

as in chatter

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

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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

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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

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

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

Araghchi said Russia’s proposal was not currently under active discussion, but could be revisited.

— Sheikh Saaliq, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2026
After four seasons, Lawrence left Spin City when Fox did and went on to create Scrubs at NBC, a series that often gets lost in discussions of how TV comedy evolved in the aughts.

— Joe Reid, Vulture, 16 May 2026