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
-
For Donohue, a one-on-one discussion with Hunt and a later meeting with his constituents further complicated his decision.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
-
If both polls and discussions with my friends are anything to go by, Americans feel forever locked in a state of political conflict.—
Sarah Stein Lubrano,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
My senses sharpened, my breath slowed, and the chatter in my head went quiet.—
Daniel Scheffler,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
After plenty of chatter, Thug is attempting to finally control his narrative and the reclamation of the Atlanta rapper is on.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The platform confirmed reports that Robinson had posted messages to a Discord chat two hours before being taken into custody.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
17 Sep. 2025
-
In a clip shared by a fan on X, Joe Jonas could be seen chatting to a fan and holding an envelope.—
Kirsty Hatcher,
PEOPLE,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But even without a rewards program, credit cards have a way of coaxing people to use them.—
Michael Waters,
The Atlantic,
9 Sep. 2025
-
All three actors praised Cianfrance’s ability to coax naturalistic performances from his cast.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Or patients might need a prescription or consultation with a doctor or other medical provider.—
Ken Alltucker,
USA Today,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Then, too, Warsaw invoked Article 4, which calls for emergency consultations among member states.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The telephone talks come as the world’s two biggest economies seek to find a compromise on tariffs.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
19 Sep. 2025
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Poland has said that Russian drones attempted to violate its airspace again, only days after another encroachment prompted Warsaw to call on NATO to hold urgent security talks.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Students should be encouraged to converse with their AI tutor without fear of ridicule for asking questions in class.—
Steve Grubbs,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
-
As the dog show continued, the deputies and Argo stayed by the sheriff’s Volunteer Patrol station to converse with attendees.—
Maureen Robertson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Unlike traditional campus speakers who delivered lectures in auditoriums, Kirk would grab a microphone, often in busy campus hubs, and invite debate from anyone in the audience.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Refugeoly is a game that enables discussion and debate; the game helps to trigger conversations that are needed more than ever.—
Lisa Deaderick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Palaver.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palaver. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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