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
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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
As Nixon’s political strategist, Kevin Phillips, told the New York Times in 1970:
All the talk about Republicans making inroads into the Negro vote is persiflage.
—Jane Coaston, Vox, 12 Oct. 2018
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2022
As Nixon’s political strategist, Kevin Phillips, told the New York Times in 1970:
All the talk about Republicans making inroads into the Negro vote is persiflage.
—Jane Coaston, Vox, 12 Oct. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for persiflage
Noun
-
This life is not supposed to be a bad joke.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Jordan’s mom found that out early when host Nikki Glaser made a lusty joke about her son, then noticed Donna in the room and hastily fake apologized.—
Benjamin Svetkey,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Jan. 2026
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
Noun
-
The action flows, the badinage is fast and fun.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
28 Aug. 2025
-
Each bus has a pair of hosts, whose badinage is corny but crowd-pleasing.—
Patricia Marx,
New Yorker,
5 May 2025
Noun
-
Today, Morgan responded to some Good Morning Britain banter in which the show’s presenters jokingly suggested Morgan might have tripped after imbibing.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
19 Jan. 2026
-
There could be playful banter and mutual admiration.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
17 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The laughs came thanks to some ace-level hosts.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The cops have a good laugh with her.—
Rebecca Ford,
Vanity Fair,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Language There’s some crude language, jesting, and mature comedic themes, but but nothing the modern tween or teen hasn’t seen or heard before.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Parents,
8 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Brooks’s years honing his craft writing prickly characters and witty repartee ensures that not all of this scans as mindless escapism.—
Vikram Murthi,
IndieWire,
10 Dec. 2025
-
The repartee arrived ahead of the reunion’s kiss-off date in Brazil this weekend.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
20 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Some commenters tried to strike a middle ground, acknowledging the humor while criticizing the impact on workers.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Artworks by seven artists include illustrations, sculptures, screen printing, comics and collaborative projects that explore themes of humor, nostalgia and the subtle complexities of life.—
Alyson Rodriguez,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Persiflage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persiflage. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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