1
as in chatter
friendly, informal conversation or an instance of this
their patter could be heard down the hall
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in terminology
the special terms or expressions of a particular group or field
the patter of highbrow criticism that one hears in fashionable art galleries
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to chat
to engage in casual or rambling conversation
the toddler pattered on for what seemed like hours
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of patter
Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2025
Elvis star Austin Butler took forever to lose Presley’s vocal patter and mannerisms.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2025
Details like water overflowing from the bathtub, rain pattering on a window, a phone ringing and a piano playing contributed to the realism of the experience.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for patter
Noun
The rubber outsole features a herringbone patter that offer grip and durability for all exercises in the gym and on the competition floor.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2025
Elvis star Austin Butler took forever to lose Presley’s vocal patter and mannerisms.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
For a moment, the only sound was the rain pattering as night neared.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2025
Details like water overflowing from the bathtub, rain pattering on a window, a phone ringing and a piano playing contributed to the realism of the experience.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for patter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patter
Noun
-
Out in the hallway, the raucous chatter of teenagers echoed in the halls, and cars honked on the busy street outside to pick them up.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The container shipping company has been the subject of recent chatter regarding a possible sale.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
This bipartisan push is more than a simple change of terminology.—
Adam Abutaa,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Can explain the background of that terminology?—
Kate Aurthur,
Variety,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Sofas offer the perfect spot to relax and chat with friends, cuddle up with family during movie nights, and serve as a central element in your living room’s design.—
Halee Miller Van Ryswyk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Travis hinted at Swift's reaction while chatting with his brother Jason.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Some of those talks have sidelined antitrust chief Gail Slater, who inherited the Live Nation case from the Biden administration but has pursued it toward a trial set for March.—
Rohan Goswami,
semafor.com,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Pezeshkian, who ordered Araghchi to pursue talks with the Americans after likely getting Khamenei’s blessing, also wrote on X on Sunday about the talks.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Steven Gebelin, who represented Puig in 2021 and 2022, testified at trial that his then-client tried to be helpful during the interview but, because the interpreter’s Spanish dialect differed from Puig’s, his answers were translated poorly.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
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Puig’s former attorney Steven Gebelin testified that during the January 2022 interview, Puig tried to be helpful in answering the investigators’ questions and the interpreter struggled with Puig’s Spanish dialect, according to the New York Times.—
Jaimie Ding,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Reading a book — yes, a real book with pages, gotten from a library or a store, not a Kindle; conversing, face-to-face, with a friend; taking a walk in a park or in the country?—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
6 Feb. 2026
-
No wonder people have lost the ability to converse!—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Her outfit stayed inside Browne’s gray suit vocabulary, layering a glen-check blazer with strong shoulders layered over a matching waist panel and pleated detail at the hip, finished with the brand’s red-white-blue grosgrain tab at the hem.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
7 Feb. 2026
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Moira, a career-capping (and Emmy-winning) role in the comedy created by Eugene and son Dan Levy, brought O’Hara legions of new fans — and elevated a new vocabulary.—
Jocelyn Noveck,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
When this thing went off, every filling in my mouth rattled.—
Aaron Portzline,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
-
The explosion rattled the homes and buildings of people living and working nearby.—
Brandon Truitt,
CBS News,
2 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Patter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patter. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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