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
Traffic complaints dominate Dubai small talk — and the city’s ever-expanding public transit networks have yet to put a stop to the habit.
—
Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 4 Feb. 2026
Having fewer people reduces distractions and pressures of too much small talk.
—Lily Hautau, CNN Money, 26 Jan. 2026
After Harris and Shapiro sat down, in a dining room that had been cleared of most furniture other than two chairs and a table, there was little in the way of small talk or pleasantries.
—Toluse Olorunnipa, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2026
In January, love arrives through honest conversations and meaningful exchanges that go far beyond small talk.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for small talk
Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 4 Feb. 2026
Having fewer people reduces distractions and pressures of too much small talk.
—Lily Hautau, CNN Money, 26 Jan. 2026
After Harris and Shapiro sat down, in a dining room that had been cleared of most furniture other than two chairs and a table, there was little in the way of small talk or pleasantries.
—Toluse Olorunnipa, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2026
In January, love arrives through honest conversations and meaningful exchanges that go far beyond small talk.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for small talk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small talk
Noun
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That’s the word from drummer Danny Carey, who sat for a free-wheeling chat with Spiral Out Network, covering AI music, his love of the Blade Runner soundtrack, musical influences (the Police’s Stewart Copeland is one), and things to come.—
Lars Brandle,
Billboard,
19 Feb. 2026
-
At about midnight the nights before his first two races, Stolz called his parents for a quick chat.—
Howard Fendrich,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But the talks have made little tangible progress, and Iran partially closed the vital Strait of Hormuz for military drills.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
23 Feb. 2026
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There was Magic and Kareem and Jeanie Buss, who all gave compelling talks, very appropriate.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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After the Patriots lost to the Seahawks in Super Bowl LX, there apparently was quite a bit of chatter among Bills fans on social media.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Bella was more interested in the chatter around the film.—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 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 24 Feb. 2026.
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