palaver 1 of 2

noun

pə-ˈla-vər How to pronounce palaver (audio)
Definition of palavernext
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

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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

palaver

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to chat
to engage in casual or rambling conversation mothers palavering and drinking coffee while watching their children play

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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of 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
  1. discussion
  2. chatter
  3. chat
  4. coax
  5. consultation
  6. talk
  7. converse
  8. debate
Noun
  • The report includes a detailed discussion of the risks associated with the company's operations, including financial, operational, and regulatory risks, as well as risks related to its exploration and evaluation projects.
    — Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Many content creators engage with their audience through community posts that include interactive features like polls and discussion prompts.
    — Aytekin Tank, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of discussion
Noun
  • The combat is usually riddled with party chatter and characters shouting their special moves, which creates a high-energy crescendo of sights and sounds when paired with the excellent battle music.
    — PCMAG, PCMAG, 18 Mar. 2025
  • This set off some table-wide chatter about the most recent World Series, which the Yankees lost to the Dodgers in somewhat humiliating fashion, capped off by a disastrous error-riddled inning that saw a five-run lead evaporate in the decisive Game 5.
    — Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of chatter
Verb
  • In addition to being ruled by the messenger planet, Mercury retrograde in your 11th house of associations, networks and community affairs could make the group chat a tad bit chaotic.
    — Valerie Mesa, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025
  • But Phone-to-Android RCS chats only encrypt messages in transit, not end-to-end, potentially putting messages at risk of interception.
    — Jibin Joseph, PCMAG, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of chat
Verb
  • As the ball tracked toward the hole, play-by-play and color announcers Shane Bacon and Doug Smith coaxed it into the hole.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Two previous deals aimed at ending the strike failed to coax enough guards back to end the crisis.
    — Michael Hill, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of coax
Noun
  • From consultation to aftercare, patient safety and quality results are always the top priority.
    — Rowan Briggs, The Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Among the issues in the most recent negotiation was a provision to provide appropriate hair and makeup consultation for non-white performers.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of consultation
Noun
  • Is there a chance for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine?
    — CBS News, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Prisoners sit in rows in the corridor outside their cells for the talks or are led through exercise regimens under the supervision of guards.
    — Regina Garcia Cano, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of talk
Verb
  • Inspired by Ray Kurtzweil’s book, How to Create a Mind, Dara worked on capturing his grandfather’s wisdom in code, enabling him to converse with and immortalize him through a digital twin.
    — Dr. Jonathan Reichental, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Both features are part of Project Astra, Google’s multimodal AI assistant that can detect what’s around it and converse with users.
    — Jibin Joseph, PCMAG, 3 Mar. 2025
Definition of converse
Noun
  • Apple’s views on the age-verification debate largely echo Google's.
    — Jibin Joseph, PCMAG, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The current debates over tariffs are the latest example of the Trump era sending conservatives back to the drawing board to rethink the views of recent generations.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of debate

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Cite this Entry

“Palaver.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palaver. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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