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
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The discussions come in the wake of the shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school last month that federal officials have said was carried out by a transgender shooter, according to a person familiar with the matter.—
Alanna Durkin Richer,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Sep. 2025
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Professors will record their lectures and other classroom discussions in a professional television studio, with quality lighting and audio.—
John Wisely,
Freep.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Two types of story dominated the chatter in the newsroom this week.—
Leonie Kidd,
CNBC,
7 Sep. 2025
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Read the Room While everyone’s all for friendly chatter before the game or between plays, once the ball’s in the air, many folks will want to focus all attention on what’s happening on screen.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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At the WellChild Awards in London on Monday, May 8, Harry, 40, chatted with 13-year-old Grace Tutt, a Special Recognition winner who uses a wheelchair following a bus crash.—
Erin Hill,
People.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Your team members can simply dive right in and start chatting with little training, which is ideal for a communication app.—
John Brandon,
PC Magazine,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Steve gently coaxes him back to school, where the film crew is causing havoc.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
5 Sep. 2025
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After ordering his security detail to cut the feed on all his cameras, Prater captures Harrison at gunpoint and coaxes Dexter to return to the wine room.—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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There is no time limit on how long such consultations could take, and experts say the language is flexible enough to allow each member to decide how far to go in responding to armed aggression against another.—
Matt Spetalnick,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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Poland has not invoked Article 5, but by calling for Article 4 consultations—only the eighth time in NATO’s history — Warsaw made clear this is more than a one-off incident.—
David A. Deptula,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Another interesting talk was that of Charles Alpert from Cadence.—
Thomas Coughlin,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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Republican lawmakers are upping the pressure on GOP leaders to extend enhanced health insurance subsidies set to expire at year’s end for those with Affordable Care Act coverage, bolstering similar demands from Democrats as part of government funding talks.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Powered by Apple Intelligence, a new Live Translation mode is said to deliver near real-time language translation to your ears when conversing with someone who speaks another language.—
Marc Saltzman,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
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Those of us who write New Yorker profiles aspire, in our way, both to understand and to portray the people who agree to converse with us.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The vitriol levied at uninvolved lawmakers since Wednesday's shooting has had a chilling effect on the American tradition of lawmakers' community engagement — as well as the open debate and political discourse Kirk himself espoused.—
Sasha Pezenik,
ABC News,
12 Sep. 2025
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In a democracy, ideas are tested through words and good-faith debate—never through violence.—
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Palaver.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palaver. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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