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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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Progress appeared to be very little, as Iran has sought to limit the discussions to solely its nuclear program.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
15 Feb. 2026
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Through both press conferences and private discussions, a number of topics are broached including public safety, but Dumont casts them aside.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Out in the hallway, the raucous chatter of teenagers echoed in the halls, and cars honked on the busy street outside to pick them up.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The container shipping company has been the subject of recent chatter regarding a possible sale.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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So far, he’s been spotted draped in a full-length, white fluffy coat and fire engine-red hat and gloves, watching the women’s downhill race, and casually chatting with onlookers at the curling mixed doubles, adorned in a zip-jacket emblazoned with Team USA players’ faces.—
Sheena McKenzie,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
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Our winter season continues with Adina Hoffman (recipient of a 2013 Windham-Campbell Prize for Nonfiction) chatting with Michael Kelleher about Georges Perec’s magical and mercurial and maddening An Attempt at Exhausting a Place in Paris, translated by Marc Lowenthal.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Renée coaxed a complete sentence.—
Richard Greenberg,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Maye has done both without much coaxing this postseason.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Edwards said decisions involving a ransom are always up to the family and that the FBI can help provide consultation.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The rhinoplasty process begins with a detailed consultation.—
Kaitlyn Gomez,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Some of those talks have sidelined antitrust chief Gail Slater, who inherited the Live Nation case from the Biden administration but has pursued it toward a trial set for March.—
Rohan Goswami,
semafor.com,
9 Feb. 2026
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Pezeshkian, who ordered Araghchi to pursue talks with the Americans after likely getting Khamenei’s blessing, also wrote on X on Sunday about the talks.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Reading a book — yes, a real book with pages, gotten from a library or a store, not a Kindle; conversing, face-to-face, with a friend; taking a walk in a park or in the country?—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
6 Feb. 2026
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No wonder people have lost the ability to converse!—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But whether our collective desire has been sated is up for (a lot of) debate.—
Hannah Jocelyn,
New Yorker,
13 Feb. 2026
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The Berlinale has long been considered a forum for political expression and a crucible for debate about important world affairs, but avoiding political comment has seemingly been a trend at this year’s event, whether by chance, design or out of fear.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Palaver.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palaver. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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