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
But Lilian’s least favorite activity was small talk.
—
Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
And small talk may help to pass the time but doesn’t invest that time with learning or vibrance or novelty.
—Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
Accomplish any tasks that are genuinely necessary, but leave room for pleasantries and small talk too.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 18 Feb. 2026
Few and far between were the Black elders who would greet you and expect a greeting in return, replaced by young white professionals and families who offered awkward smiles and occasional small talk when forced into proximity.
—Naomi Jackson, Curbed, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for small talk
Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
And small talk may help to pass the time but doesn’t invest that time with learning or vibrance or novelty.
—Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
Accomplish any tasks that are genuinely necessary, but leave room for pleasantries and small talk too.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 18 Feb. 2026
Few and far between were the Black elders who would greet you and expect a greeting in return, replaced by young white professionals and families who offered awkward smiles and occasional small talk when forced into proximity.
—Naomi Jackson, Curbed, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for small talk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small talk
Noun
-
Sign up here to receive an email right as the chat is about to start.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
27 Mar. 2026
-
They will also be notified of other account activities, such as when their kid adds a new contact or exits a pre-approved group chat.—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Oil surges as Iran picks Khamenei’s son as supreme leader, but comes off a tad after the Financial Times reported about talks on a possible coordinated release of reserves.—
Nasteho Said,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
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Impala Platinum has opened formal talks with Zimbabwe’s central bank and lined up meetings with both the South African and Zimbabwean governments to press for clarity on Harare’s export-earnings policy, its CEO told Semafor, escalating a commercial cash-flow dispute into bilateral negotiations.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Sony Noise Cancelling Headphones Deal Powered by two processors and eight microphones, the Sony WH-1000XM5 give you industry-leading noise cancellation that effectively eliminates the sound of traffic, office chatter, or airplane engines.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
9 Mar. 2026
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The sound rose with laughter, casual chatter and the low hum of a crowd finally allowed to eat.—
Monti Carlo,
AJC.com,
8 Mar. 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 15 Mar. 2026.
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