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
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
-
The eyeball test says BYU and Cincinnati are legit good, and Texas Tech belongs in that same discussion.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Oct. 2025
-
And this model of access, dependent on negotiation and renegotiation and repeated discussions about individual items, is neither sustainable nor capable of delivering aid at the scale that is needed.—
Anna Halford,
Time,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
There was a distinct set of tales dealing with demons who collected idle chatter in churches, and, over time, these stories were folded into the expanding legend of Tutivillus.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
31 Oct. 2025
-
This year, all eyes are on just three contests nationwide—and most of the chatter has centered on Zohran Mamdani’s meteoric mayoral run across the Hudson as a democratic socialist.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Once created, the AI avatars are game-ready assets, capable of not just chatting with fans, but interacting within apps and games.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
4 Nov. 2025
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Klarna, for example, launched a hotline in June that anyone can call to chat with an AI version of CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
One of his former teachers was still there, coaxing students to line up neatly.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Landau had to coax them into it.—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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How to Request a Precise Quote A reliable cost estimate begins with a virtual consultation.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
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The King’s decision follows behind-the-scenes discussions, legal consultation and support from the wider royal family to bring about a resolution without imposing on Parliamentary time.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The van reaches home ground and no one talks and the only sound along that final stretch is El Camello slapping himself to scare away mosquitoes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
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Senators are engaging in behind-the-scenes talks to reopen the government.—
Nathaniel Weixel,
The Hill,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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After reading Wuoronos’ story, Pralle began conversing with her through letters, eventually persuading Wuornos to let Pralle adopt her.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Have people lost the ability to converse?—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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China’s apparent surge in missile production comes as the US expends sophisticated defense systems in Ukraine and Israel, causing some ammunition shortages and sparking debate in Washington about how and where to deploy its high-end weapons.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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Since the advent of the transfer portal and the rise of name, image and likeness (NIL), there have been countless debates about how to create and adjust a system to establish guardrails when necessary.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Palaver.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palaver. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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