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
-
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and army chief Syed Asim Munir have departed Islamabad and are on their way to Switzerland where diplomatic discussions between the US and Iran are unfolding, a statement from the prime minister’s office said Sunday.—
Mitchell McCluskey,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
-
Swift showed up in a video clip at the end of the show that circled back to earlier discussion about Kelce’s picky eating proclivities.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
In the last year or two, there was chatter and debate whether Messi would actually be selected to join the national team again.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 June 2026
-
If circumstances had gone Spain’s way with more clinical finishing or a Cape Verde defender making a mistake, then the result would have been different and a lot of the chatter currently happening (including here) would likely not be happening.—
Patrick Sung Cuadrado,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
Verb
-
If a team chat gets heated, pause to name your goal and request a clear next step.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
17 June 2026
-
Okay, but who showed Danielle the group chat?—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
In the premium tier are Royal Caribbean and the adults-only Virgin Voyages, which coaxes guests to party with a wink and a nod, hosting onboard events like the welcome Pajama Party and the popular, immersive Scarlet Night at least once per voyage.—
Scott Laird,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
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Nearly a decade ago, researchers who study what used to be called UFOs got a new burst of energy, thanks to whistleblowers who helped coax out classified information about the government’s search for life off Earth.—
Erin Vanderhoof,
Vanity Fair,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
The same physician who designs the hairline at the morning consultation is still in the room placing grafts in the afternoon.—
Ascend Agency,
Denver Post,
18 June 2026
-
Contracting with a reputable Medicare brokerage to offer one-on-one consultations to your retiring employees costs your company nothing and delivers significant value.—
Sylvia Gordon,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
Trump made the threat on Sunday, even as Vice President JD Vance met Iranian officials in Switzerland for the first talks under the interim accord.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
22 June 2026
-
Still looming over talks, however, is the Israel-Hezbollah conflict in Lebanon, which has continued despite a recent renewal of their ceasefire agreement.—
Deva Lee,
CNN Money,
22 June 2026
Verb
-
This is because any of various chatbots can induce in us an irresistible sense of our conversing with an actual person.—
Joel Marks,
Hartford Courant,
17 June 2026
-
Her subjects range from the humming of trees conversing through underground fungi to the iridescent call (invisible to humans) that flowers make to fluttering bees.—
Devorah Lauter,
ARTnews.com,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
The breakout success of these films has ignited debate across Hollywood about what made these movies so popular, especially among Gen Z moviegoers who haven’t been flocking to cinemas in recent years.—
Cerys Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
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Major League Baseball's warning to several San Francisco Giants pitchers who wrote Bible verses on their Pride Night caps is fueling online debate about the limits of free expression in professional baseball.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Palaver.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palaver. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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