as in chat
friendly, informal conversation or an instance of this
at the corporate get-together we made the obligatory small talk with some people from the home office
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 small talk
Branch out in conversations with your kids: Amid daily small talk, Dr. Mohr Lone found value in bringing up philosophical concepts with her sons.
—
Alana Bracken, Parents, 28 Feb. 2025
Was that a form of small talk for children, when feelings that were too intense could be covered up more easily than articulated?
—Yiyun Li, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025
For example, couples looking to strengthen their communication skills might agree on weekly 10-minute calls, just to see if the break needs to be extended or shortened—no small talk or life updates.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 24 Feb. 2025
Is even the smallest of small talk fraught with deception?
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for small talk
Alana Bracken, Parents, 28 Feb. 2025
Was that a form of small talk for children, when feelings that were too intense could be covered up more easily than articulated?
—Yiyun Li, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025
For example, couples looking to strengthen their communication skills might agree on weekly 10-minute calls, just to see if the break needs to be extended or shortened—no small talk or life updates.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 24 Feb. 2025
Is even the smallest of small talk fraught with deception?
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for small talk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small talk
Noun
-
That chat is under review by the Pentagon Inspector General for the handling of sensitive information.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
-
But the other chat group included people with no clear reason for receiving the sensitive information.—
Quil Lawrence,
NPR,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Russia and Ukraine haven't held direct talks in years.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
-
The new plan, according to his talks with prison officials, is to house people awaiting deportation.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
It's aimed towards trucks and sport utilities, whose designs usually include all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, and whose chassis are more vulnerable to wheel chatter and heavier loads.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Panthers: Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia AS: There’s been a lot of chatter about where Walker should play at the NFL level.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Each monthly box includes three recipe guides, skill lessons, a kitchen tool, a kitchen project, an apron patch, table talk cards, and a grocery list.—
Jessica Booth,
Parents,
16 Dec. 2024
-
Almost everything about Thanksgiving, from travel to table talk about politics, has the potential to become fraught.—
Kendra Nordin Beato,
The Christian Science Monitor,
26 Nov. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Small talk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small%20talk. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share