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 would be inane small talk and paperwork and at least one reminder from Ya that the laureate committee was watching.
—
Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
The costars do more than small talk about their upcoming Peacock show.
—Sarah Rodman, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Mar. 2026
Researchers have found that people who ask each other progressively deeper questions reported significantly greater closeness than those who made small talk.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 24 Mar. 2026
But the show, with its scenes at Jefferton’s many buffets, live-action TV cutaways (married news anchors Jan and Wayne Skylar make their first appearance here), and ear for agonizingly awkward small talk, is as floridly Tim and Eric as any of their later projects.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for small talk
Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
The costars do more than small talk about their upcoming Peacock show.
—Sarah Rodman, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Mar. 2026
Researchers have found that people who ask each other progressively deeper questions reported significantly greater closeness than those who made small talk.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 24 Mar. 2026
But the show, with its scenes at Jefferton’s many buffets, live-action TV cutaways (married news anchors Jan and Wayne Skylar make their first appearance here), and ear for agonizingly awkward small talk, is as floridly Tim and Eric as any of their later projects.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for small talk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small talk
Noun
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Across group chats, bridal forums, and doctors’ offices, a growing number of engaged couples are turning to GLP-1 medications—drugs originally developed to treat diabetes and now widely prescribed for weight loss—as part of their wedding preparation timeline.—
Sara Radin,
Vogue,
9 Apr. 2026
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The Superbad star broke the news during a chat with Martin Scorsese for Interview Magazine.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The days were spent in a sleek conference room, where guests gave talks.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
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Signaling progress in the peace talks, Axios reported that Washington and Tehran were engaged in discussions mediated by some Gulf states for a potential 45-day ceasefire that could end the conflict, although the odds for reaching a partial deal before the Tuesday deadline were slim.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Those big tires with big sidewalls soak up a lot of the road chatter before the suspension even starts suspending.—
Joe Salas
April 07,
New Atlas,
7 Apr. 2026
-
August 23 – September 22 Clarity lands where chatter once created noise.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Apr. 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 12 Apr. 2026.
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