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
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While what kind of crust a Key Lime pie should have is often up for discussion, there’s no debate as heated as what should top the tangy pie.—
Amber Love Bond,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
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Near the end of the day, Haag gathered her students for their usual wrap-up discussion.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Some online chatter has also attributed the smaller options to the rise of Wegovy, Ozempic and other weight loss drugs.—
Jordan Valinsky,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
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Rodger’s upcoming debut novel, which is due to publish in 2027, has been directing chatter in worldwide circles, leading to the auction.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Users can now discover content dynamically while chatting, creating an experience that is interactive, context-aware, and tailored to their preferences.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Oct. 2025
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Contestants form bonds and make decisions about compatibility while chatting through a wall, eventually getting engaged before meeting face-to-face for the first time.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The ultimate letdown came in the eighth inning, when the Phillies — down 5-3 — loaded the bases against Tyler Glasnow to coax Alex Vesia from the Dodgers bullpen.—
Charlotte Varnes,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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Long-time teacher Jan Cornelison admired the photographer for trying to coax smiles out of her fifth graders.—
John Wisely,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Feedback from supporters is being digested and, over the next few months, further consultation with the Fan Advisory Board and other fans’ groups is anticipated.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
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The drones that landed in Poland were not believed to be armed, but nonetheless, spurred Warsaw to trigger Article 4 emergency consultations with NATO members.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Earlier this month, Ripa celebrated her 25 seasons on Live, tying with Oprah Winfrey as TV's longest-running female daytime talk host.—
Brenton Blanchet,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
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Her comments have sparked a media storm for the WNBA, drawing more attention to the league and Collier’s place in helping chart its future during the ongoing labor talks.—
Alex Andrejev,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The brain’s circuits are all built from a mixture of inhibitory and excitatory cells conversing in diverse ways.—
Yasemin Saplakoglu,
Quanta Magazine,
29 Sep. 2025
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Students should be encouraged to converse with their AI tutor without fear of ridicule for asking questions in class.—
Steve Grubbs,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
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That leaves places such as Apache County in limbo in a debate centered over keeping government fully operational at existing funding levels and revising health insurance coverage for poor and working-class Americans.—
Ronald J. Hansen,
AZCentral.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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Long history of policy changes Police chases in Milwaukee have been a frequent topic of debate in the city, and the policy dictating them is intertwined with the city's reckless driving issues.—
David Clarey,
jsonline.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Palaver.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palaver. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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