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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Recent Examples of small talk
Ask a detailed question Most small talk dies because the questions aren't strong enough to hold any weight.
—
Henna Pryor, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2026
Teen boys might think an AI girlfriend solves their immediate problems—no awkward small talk, no rejection, no risking embarrassment.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2026
There is no room for small talk or anything surface-level during this celestial exchange.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
Research suggests that having small talks with coworkers, while somewhat distracting, can improve your well-being at work.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for small talk
Henna Pryor, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2026
Teen boys might think an AI girlfriend solves their immediate problems—no awkward small talk, no rejection, no risking embarrassment.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2026
There is no room for small talk or anything surface-level during this celestial exchange.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
Research suggests that having small talks with coworkers, while somewhat distracting, can improve your well-being at work.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for small talk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small talk
Noun
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In other words, a scroll through — or algorithmic analysis of — someone’s chat queries may paint an exceptionally intimate, hyper-personalized portrait of them and their world, from their daily activities to their inner life.—
Maggie Harrison Dupré,
Futurism,
14 May 2026
-
Mike Vrabel has entered the chat.—
Sean Joseph OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
Noun
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Days after Air Force One departed Beijing, Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit the Chinese capital for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
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Look, McIlroy might go out and shoot 63 on Sunday, turning the 2026 summer into a swirl of Grand Slam talk.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
Noun
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There is chatter that Otto at least attempted to die by suicide.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
18 May 2026
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So, yes, there likely will be chatter in that regard should the Cavaliers fall short with their current build.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
17 May 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 21 May. 2026.
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