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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of small talk
There is no room for small talk or anything surface-level during this celestial exchange.
—
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
Research suggests that having small talks with coworkers, while somewhat distracting, can improve your well-being at work.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 14 Apr. 2026
In between tidbits of small talk, Mosley, Luis Perez, Karola Vargas and Arianna Blanco, sitting around picnic tables, divulged details about what happened behind closed doors in the jury room.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2026
As investigators searched the area with the bamboo again, Horner smoked cigarettes and seemed relaxed, making small talk about his favorite foods, work schedules and the weather.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for small talk
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
Research suggests that having small talks with coworkers, while somewhat distracting, can improve your well-being at work.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 14 Apr. 2026
In between tidbits of small talk, Mosley, Luis Perez, Karola Vargas and Arianna Blanco, sitting around picnic tables, divulged details about what happened behind closed doors in the jury room.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2026
As investigators searched the area with the bamboo again, Horner smoked cigarettes and seemed relaxed, making small talk about his favorite foods, work schedules and the weather.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for small talk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small talk
Noun
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Törnberg identified three new kinds of emerging online media platforms, starting with private or semi-private group chats like WhatsApp.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
7 May 2026
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Much like the show, the chat was a mixture of laughs and genuine heartfelt emotion.—
Abby Stern,
HollywoodReporter,
6 May 2026
Noun
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The most recent back-and-forth over talks comes after a week of sporadic clashes in the Persian Gulf, amid a month-long ceasefire.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
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Markets have soared and oil prices have dropped over the last week, however, amid anticipation that a deal could be close after weeks of talks and occasional setbacks.—
Peter Nicholas,
NBC news,
10 May 2026
Noun
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The chatter among party elites appears at odds with recent polling in Harris’ favor, including in April’s Harvard Center for American Political Studies/Harris Poll, which showed Harris leading the Democratic field with support from 50% of Democrats.—
Justine McDaniel,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
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Student chatter on social media fluctuated between some commenters upset that their tests or assignments would be canceled and others planning beach days in light of the system being down.—
Caleb Lunetta,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
Noun
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When the table talk turns political, Hagains suggests shifting your approach instead of your mood.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Nov. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Small talk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small%20talk. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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