persiflage

noun

ˈpər-si-ˌfläzh How to pronounce persiflage (audio)
Definition of persiflagenext
as in joke
good-natured teasing or exchanging of clever remarks their tongue-in-cheek persiflage is sometimes mistaken for an exchange of insults by people who don't know them

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of persiflage None of this will keep Republicans and conservatives from attacking the reconciliation bill with smoke, mirrors and persiflage. — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for persiflage
  1. joke
  2. raillery
  3. badinage
  4. banter
  5. laugh
  6. jesting
  7. repartee
  8. humor
Noun
  • The jokes have continued nearly nonstop — and not all are coming from the man in the can with a 20-point plan.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • There is nothing, no drama, no insight, not even a joke other than the one NeNe makes about Porsha swimming in the lady pond.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of joke
Noun
  • With time, their caustic raillery transforms into sincere attachment.
    — Charlie Tyson, The Atlantic, 13 May 2021
  • French’s evocation of place, a rural way of life and overall creepiness are superb, as is the dialogue, a festival of Irish raillery and repartee.
    — Washington Post, Washington Post, 14 Oct. 2020
Definition of raillery
Noun
  • Left on their own, boisterous badinage between old school British thespian Shaw and giggly, hyper-ventilating wannabe movie star Dreyfuss has taken hold.
    — Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 10 Mar. 2026
  • The action flows, the badinage is fast and fun.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 28 Aug. 2025
Definition of badinage
Noun
  • Like that film, this new movie finds most of its sexiness in the chemistry and playful banter between its attractive stars.
    — David Mack, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Men are supposed to pay for dinner but also treat women as equals; to initiate flirty banter but never be creepy or aggressive; to be sturdy and masculine but also empathetic and thoughtful.
    — Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of banter
Noun
  • But there are plenty of affirmative laughs in her roughly 65-minute set, tickets to which are not cheap.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
  • There’s not enough conflict to drive the narrative, and not enough laughs to liven up the dead spots.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of laugh
Noun
  • Hudson showed some subtle support for the jesting knocks to her boyfriend by reposting a clip of his final joke shared on Fox News' official X page.
    — Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
  • No matter what happened, Dunham could not seem to help posting through it, her public persona one of infinite jesting confession.
    — Madeline Leung Coleman, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2026
Definition of jesting
Noun
  • Faith King and Josiah Fagerstrom both deliver delightfully prickly repartee as their characters gradually manage to surpass archetype.
    — Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 10 Aug. 2026
  • To be sure, Maher’s ready wit and spontaneous repartee as a talk show host were central themes for the parade of chums who praised the honoree.
    — Paul Harris, Variety, 29 June 2026
Definition of repartee
Noun
  • The Gemini Moon moves through your 5th House of Creativity and sextiles the Leo Sun in your 7th House of Partnership, helping humor, flirtation, brainstorming, or self-expression flow more easily with someone else.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The Moon enters Gemini and your 5th House of Creativity, Romance, and Pleasure, bringing curiosity, humor, flirtation, and expressive momentum.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of humor

Browse Nearby Words

Persian lambs
persiflage
persist
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Cite this Entry

“Persiflage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persiflage. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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