as in joke
good-natured teasing or exchanging of clever remarks
members of the Algonquin Round Table were known for their brilliant and witty banter
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in to joke
to make jokes
the teacher bantered pleasantly, albeit a bit awkwardly, with the students at the school dance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of banter
Jené Luciani Sena, Fox News, 12 Feb. 2025
But the most remarkable thing about the show — well, apart from seeing Paul McCartney perform 15 feet in front of you — was the banter.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 12 Feb. 2025
Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 19 Jan. 2025
Cal, a wealthy progressive Southern Democrat, enjoys drinking, making mixtapes (a detail that pays off in the series’ use of bad cover versions of most of his favorite ’80s and ’90s pop favorites), and bantering with Xavier about basketball.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for banter
Noun
Starring Hollywood legends Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan, the movie follows Harry and Sally’s evolving relationship over the years, punctuated by witty banter and unforgettable scenes, including the famous diner moment.
—Jené Luciani Sena, Fox News, 12 Feb. 2025
But the most remarkable thing about the show — well, apart from seeing Paul McCartney perform 15 feet in front of you — was the banter.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 12 Feb. 2025
Verb
He’s also tried to banter on social media with Republican players Vivek Ramaswamy and billionaire Elon Musk, both of whom are leading a group charged with studying potential cuts to the federal budget.
—Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 19 Jan. 2025
Cal, a wealthy progressive Southern Democrat, enjoys drinking, making mixtapes (a detail that pays off in the series’ use of bad cover versions of most of his favorite ’80s and ’90s pop favorites), and bantering with Xavier about basketball.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for banter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for banter
Noun
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After a joke about Adam Sandler’s fashion sense, O’Brien suddenly changed tone to address the devastation of the wildfires in Los Angeles, and how an awards show can seem self-indulgent if that context was not addressed.—
Annie Aguiar,
New York Times,
3 Mar. 2025
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But from a pure comedy standpoint, the joke was just basic—and unfunny.—
Esther Zuckerman,
The Atlantic,
2 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Expect plenty of laughs, heartfelt moments, and unforgettable speeches as Hollywood's finest take the stage.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
2 Mar. 2025
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Buss exclaims, making Hudson and Kaling laugh harder.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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In The Kitchen, Wesker tracked the decorum from friendly badinage to hostile vernacular that co-workers sustain just to get through the day.—
Armond White,
National Review,
30 Oct. 2024
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While Hawley hasn’t left behind any of his signature philosophical dialogue or memorable badinage, Season 5 is also the most reliant on the camera to make its points.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
13 Aug. 2024
Noun
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For all his entertaining repartee, Hedges is keenly aware of when to lock in.—
Ken Rosenthal,
The Athletic,
25 Feb. 2025
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Ally and Jay are both sarcastic, too — their best lines are muttered under their breaths — and their repartee becomes more interesting than the bloody theatrics.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
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O’Brien has a very specific brand of humor that mixes the bombastic and the surreal with a biting sharpness and a healthy dose of self depreciation.—
Rosa Escandon,
Forbes,
3 Mar. 2025
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Related article Why the dinner party is a declining art At the end of the day, small talk is meant to be lighthearted and enjoyable, and a little humor and compassion go a long way, Sah said.—
Taylor Nicioli,
CNN,
3 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Bong Joon-ho is addressing chatter about Donald Trump being the inspiration behind Mark Ruffalo‘s villainous character in Mickey 17.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
5 Mar. 2025
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Over the years, the filmmaker and Kraven the Hunter actor have had to navigate the chatter around their age difference.—
Jen Juneau,
People.com,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
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With time, their caustic raillery transforms into sincere attachment.—
Charlie Tyson,
The Atlantic,
13 May 2021
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French’s evocation of place, a rural way of life and overall creepiness are superb, as is the dialogue, a festival of Irish raillery and repartee.—
Washington Post,
Washington Post,
14 Oct. 2020
Noun
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Trump’s playful and public ribbing of one of the world’s most prominent media moguls underscored the years-long on-again, off-again relationship between the president and publishing tycoon, one that political and media observers told The Hill this week has reached a critical new stage.—
Dominick Mastrangelo,
The Hill,
9 Feb. 2025
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At a 10th anniversary screening at the 2011 New York Film Festival, Anderson and ensemble members Anjelica Huston, Bill Murray and Gwyneth Paltrow indulged in some good-natured ribbing of Hackman’s irascibility on the shoot.—
David Rooney,
The Hollywood Reporter,
3 Sep. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Banter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/banter. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
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