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
Relevance
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
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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
-
For Donohue, a one-on-one discussion with Hunt and a later meeting with his constituents further complicated his decision.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
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If both polls and discussions with my friends are anything to go by, Americans feel forever locked in a state of political conflict.—
Sarah Stein Lubrano,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
My senses sharpened, my breath slowed, and the chatter in my head went quiet.—
Daniel Scheffler,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
After plenty of chatter, Thug is attempting to finally control his narrative and the reclamation of the Atlanta rapper is on.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The platform confirmed reports that Robinson had posted messages to a Discord chat two hours before being taken into custody.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
17 Sep. 2025
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In a clip shared by a fan on X, Joe Jonas could be seen chatting to a fan and holding an envelope.—
Kirsty Hatcher,
PEOPLE,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But even without a rewards program, credit cards have a way of coaxing people to use them.—
Michael Waters,
The Atlantic,
9 Sep. 2025
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All three actors praised Cianfrance’s ability to coax naturalistic performances from his cast.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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There is no time limit on how long such consultations could take, and experts say the language is flexible enough to allow each member to decide how far to go in responding to armed aggression against another.—
Matt Spetalnick,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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Poland has not invoked Article 5, but by calling for Article 4 consultations—only the eighth time in NATO’s history — Warsaw made clear this is more than a one-off incident.—
David A. Deptula,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Another interesting talk was that of Charles Alpert from Cadence.—
Thomas Coughlin,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Republican lawmakers are upping the pressure on GOP leaders to extend enhanced health insurance subsidies set to expire at year’s end for those with Affordable Care Act coverage, bolstering similar demands from Democrats as part of government funding talks.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Powered by Apple Intelligence, a new Live Translation mode is said to deliver near real-time language translation to your ears when conversing with someone who speaks another language.—
Marc Saltzman,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
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Those of us who write New Yorker profiles aspire, in our way, both to understand and to portray the people who agree to converse with us.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The vitriol levied at uninvolved lawmakers since Wednesday's shooting has had a chilling effect on the American tradition of lawmakers' community engagement — as well as the open debate and political discourse Kirk himself espoused.—
Sasha Pezenik,
ABC News,
12 Sep. 2025
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In a democracy, ideas are tested through words and good-faith debate—never through violence.—
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Palaver.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palaver. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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