1
as in discussion
an exchange of views for the purpose of exploring a subject or deciding an issue
seemingly endless palaver between the negotiating parties
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in chatter
friendly, informal conversation or an instance of this
we should get together and have a nice palaver sometime
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to chat
to engage in casual or rambling conversation
mothers palavering and drinking coffee while watching their children play
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to coax
to get (someone) to do something by gentle urging, special attention, or flattery
I let the salesclerk at the electronics store palaver me into a service contract that I didn't need
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of palaver
Noah Rothman, National Review, 18 Jan. 2024
The palaver about Prime Minister Liz Truss’s failed tax-cut plan has obscured the way Mr. Bailey politicized the British central bank.
—The Editorial Board, WSJ, 18 Oct. 2022
Becca Rothfeld, The New Yorker, 19 Nov. 2019
See All Example Sentences for palaver
Noun
And to listen to them is to be privy to some of the most easily ignored palaver the global economic elite has to offer.
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 18 Jan. 2024
The palaver about Prime Minister Liz Truss’s failed tax-cut plan has obscured the way Mr. Bailey politicized the British central bank.
—The Editorial Board, WSJ, 18 Oct. 2022
Verb
On the one hand, Hrabal’s palavering bears a direct relation to reality.
—Becca Rothfeld, The New Yorker, 19 Nov. 2019
See All Example Sentences for palaver
Recent Examples of Synonyms for palaver
Noun
-
Leadership Commitment When managers champion financial well-being alongside total rewards discussions and career development conversations, financial literacy and security stop being side topics.—
Marthin De Beer,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
-
In a news release announcing their plans for the bridge's final closure and demolition, officials said the decision came after extensive discussion.—
Madeline Heim,
jsonline.com,
15 July 2025
Noun
-
There was the usual chatter about 'whether to rest the starters or not', but they good guys weren't going to lay down and hand those cocky Patriots a 16-0 record.—
Geoffrey Knox,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
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The Broadway producer also responds and then shuts down the recent social media chatter about the years-old debacle.—
John Lawson,
Essence,
10 July 2025
Verb
-
While chatting with Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports, Metcalf sent a very bold warning to the rest of the league.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 July 2025
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The Pioneer Press caught up with Conley at this week’s 3M Open to chat Timberwolves, as well as his love of golf.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
25 July 2025
Verb
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There was something meditative about the way the water bubbled and burst, coaxing that tough meat to tenderness.—
Cleyvis Natera,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
21 July 2025
-
The crowd burst into laughter, but even wizardry couldn't coax it in.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 July 2025
Noun
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During a 10-week consultation, the couple were given a sheet with statistics about what their life could be like if Jenner carried the four babies to term.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 July 2025
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Browse through the hundreds of orchid varieties in their greenhouse or schedule a consultation for a custom arrangement with designer Irene Cherchuck.—
Brennan Long,
Southern Living,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
Mozeliak has started to gauge the interest of a handful of contending teams, though the talks are described as preliminary.—
Katie Woo,
New York Times,
26 July 2025
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Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul yield little progress Russia and Ukraine held brief peace talks, but the warring countries remain far apart with little progress made.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
25 July 2025
Verb
-
The personable Harris is an easy athlete with whom to converse and should assimilate well into the B’s locker room.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
18 July 2025
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Apple spent most of WWDC going over smaller machine learning features, but did not reveal what investors and consumers increasingly want: A sophisticated Siri that can converse fluidly and get stuff done, like making a restaurant reservation.—
Kif Leswing,
CNBC,
4 July 2025
Noun
-
Keegan Bradley: This is not the big captaincy debate.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
23 July 2025
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Longtime Washington owner Daniel Snyder in 2023 sold the team to a new ownership group led by billionaire investor Josh Harris, who has elected to keep Commanders as the name and has called the debate settled.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
22 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Palaver.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palaver. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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