Synonyms of palaver

palaver 1 of 2

noun

pə-ˈla-vər 

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

• discussion
• consultation
• debate
• consult
• talk
• conversation
• dialogue
• deliberation
• conference
• meeting
• argumentation
• argument
• back-and-forth
• argy-bargy
• parley
• confabulation
• give-and-take
• colloquy
• confab
• council
• counsel
• symposium
• consultancy
• discourse
• forum
• seminar
• chat
• negotiation
• chat room
• disquisition
• roundtable
• bull session
• bargaining
• talkathon
• skull session
• rap
• words
• pourparler

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

• chatter
• chat
• talk
• chitchat
• gossip
• natter
• gabfest
• gab
• confab
• patter
• schmooze
• causerie
• confabulation
• chin-wag
• small talk
• table talk
• jaw
• debate
• tête-à-tête
• discourse
• jangle
• dialogue
• cackle
• chin music
• backchat
• conference
• rap
• symposium
• exchange
• parley
• colloquy
• yak
• give-and-take
• yammer
• happy talk
• yap
• cross talk

palaver

2 of 2

verb

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

• chat
• talk
• converse
• chatter
• natter
• prattle
• babble
• prate
• gabble
• patter
• rattle
• jabber
• schmooze
• blab
• gab
• gossip
• rap
• jaw
• visit
• cackle
• gas
• chin
• kibitz
• discuss
• run on
• blow smoke
• chaffer
• twitter
• chew the fat
• shoot the breeze
• talk a blue streak
• expatiate
• tattle
• descant
• yak
• yap
• yammer

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

• coax
• wheedle
• cajole
• blandish
• lure
• soft-soap
• woo
• seduce
• blarney
• urge
• sweet-talk
• beg
• entice
• charm
• massage
• overpraise
• importune
• tempt
• flatter
• beseech
• wangle
• juggle
• wile
• butter up
• adulate
• cozen
• finagle
• beguile

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• tease
• bug
• cow
• harass
• nag
• pester
• intimidate
• require
• bully
• force
• make
• demand
• oblige
• compel
• browbeat
• coerce
• constrain
• bulldoze

Example Sentences

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

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