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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of small talk
Jeffrey Meltzer, a therapist in Florida who works with people who never turn up on time, said some people who hate small talk fear arriving early, and others who feel they don’t have much control over their lives may try to reclaim a few minutes from responsibilities.
—
Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 9 Jan. 2026
If you’re tempted to make small talk, first look for cues that the other person is open to it.
—Jenny McCoy, Outside, 2 Jan. 2026
The small talk from Paul McCartney was killing me.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Dec. 2025
Venus in Aquarius isn’t about small talk or performative connection.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for small talk
Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 9 Jan. 2026
If you’re tempted to make small talk, first look for cues that the other person is open to it.
—Jenny McCoy, Outside, 2 Jan. 2026
The small talk from Paul McCartney was killing me.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Dec. 2025
Venus in Aquarius isn’t about small talk or performative connection.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for small talk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small talk
Noun
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Inara Camp, Agafay Desert, Morocco For the nomadic people of North Africa, precious tea leaves were both a commodity and part of a simple ceremony that underpinned friendly chats and business deals.—
Rebecca Ann Hughes,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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The men – all white males dressed casually in sweatshirts and jackets -- were eating lunch at Clancey’s Deli when one of them got an alert on an anti-Ice Signal chat telling members that plainclothes agents were at the restaurant, Alpha News reported.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The attack Sunday came a few hours after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a new round of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia had been postponed.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
2 Feb. 2026
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The drama feels at its most lived-in and engaging when Sukku and Choi’s characters sit together to share food or talk.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
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There was some chatter about Alshon’s over-poaching in the final, but sometimes a super-dominant male strategy works.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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Still, his worst game of the year — a four-interception outing in a Week 10 loss to the Rams — again prompted chatter about his ability to perform in the biggest games.—
Peter Sblendorio,
Hartford Courant,
26 Jan. 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 3 Feb. 2026.
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