as in babble
unintelligible or meaningless talk
parents often claim to understand the prattle of their infant offspring
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in to chat
to engage in casual or rambling conversation
spent an hour on the phone prattling on about nothing in particular
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to chatter
to speak rapidly, inarticulately, and usually unintelligibly
stop prattling and calmly tell us the news
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in chatting
to engage in casual or rambling conversation
spent an hour on the phone prattling on about nothing in particular
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in drooling
to speak rapidly, inarticulately, and usually unintelligibly
stop prattling and calmly tell us the news
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prattle
David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Feb. 2022
The British playwright David Hare, who adapted a Maigret book for the stage, insists that Simenon—being Belgian-born and so an outsider—disdained the usual French prattle about gastronomy, and therefore cared little for the subject.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 12 Sep. 2022
Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 29 Oct. 2024
There were no pixies prattling songs about peace in Paris.
—Sally Jenkins, Washington Post, 27 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for prattle
Noun
The deadpan edge of much of the film’s 90 minutes of prattle conceals thoughts on the insularity of creative communities, the ticking clock of an artist’s life and the importance of remaining open to finding truth even in what appear to be random connections.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Feb. 2022
The British playwright David Hare, who adapted a Maigret book for the stage, insists that Simenon—being Belgian-born and so an outsider—disdained the usual French prattle about gastronomy, and therefore cared little for the subject.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 12 Sep. 2022
Verb
While some critics prattle on in the comments with doubts, D'Amelio has stayed present throughout rehearsals and leaned on her costars — many of whom are also new to Broadway — to keep her concentration.
—Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 29 Oct. 2024
There were no pixies prattling songs about peace in Paris.
—Sally Jenkins, Washington Post, 27 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for prattle
Video
A Look at Uncommon Onomatopoeia
Some imitative words are more surprising than others
Cite this Entry
“Prattle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prattle. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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