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
Most players are not breaking the Official Secrets Act and are most likely just having the sort of small talk any colleagues would in an office environment.
—
Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for small talk
Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for small talk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small talk
Noun
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Sign up here to receive an email right as the chat is about to start.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
27 Mar. 2026
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Your community gains volume alongside the Moon bouncing into your friendly 11th house, so your team brainstorm or group chat may suddenly gain momentum regarding an upcoming project.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Cuba's President Miguel Díaz-Canel said on Friday, March 13, that the country opened talks with the United States as the island faces one of its most severe economic crises in decades.—
Jarrett Renshaw,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
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The brand will also host industry talks, buyer previews at the Mode trade show, and public exhibitions during the week — a format that increasingly reflects how Chinese brands use fashion week as a multi-platform moment spanning both industry and consumer audiences.—
Yiling Pan,
Vogue,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The chatter led General Mills to buy La Tiara’s assets in June for $10 million.—
Jenna Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
16 Mar. 2026
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Herson said he’s not focused on the chatter.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
16 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 21 Mar. 2026.
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