as in joke
good-natured teasing or exchanging of clever remarks
their tongue-in-cheek persiflage is sometimes mistaken for an exchange of insults by people who don't know them
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of persiflage
None of this will keep Republicans and conservatives from attacking the reconciliation bill with smoke, mirrors and persiflage.
—
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2022
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for persiflage
Noun
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Conan O'Brien Named Host Of The 2025 Oscars By Megan Cartwright Deputy Entertainment Editor Newsweek Is A Trust Project Member news article 0 Conan O'Brien revealed on his podcast that part of his Oscars promo joke was cut by the Academy.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
14 Mar. 2025
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The response to Glaser’s hosting gig on social media appeared to be overwhelmingly positive, after a show that included jokes about Diddy, Selena Gomez, Wicked and an Adam Sandler/Timothee Chalamet bit that had a callback earlier this month at the Oscars.—
Katie Atkinson,
Billboard,
13 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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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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But Black Bag is electrifying, with Soderbergh operating in his God mode — portraying highly competent people attempting to outwit one another in beautiful clothes, the light practically bending to their beauty and banter.—
Angelica Jade Bastién,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2025
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Michael Caine in The Ipcress File, and a sultry Blanchett trade banter and bullets?—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Even if real life divorce is not that funny, this comic take on divorce is set to offer some welcome laughs.—
Joan MacDonald,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
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Garner and Affleck came together to celebrate their youngest child's 13th birthday at a paintball party for Samuel on March 2, where they were seen sharing a laugh and hug.—
Jen Juneau,
People.com,
12 Mar. 2025
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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Conan was the perfect host — skillfully guiding us through the evening with humor, warmth and reverence.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
17 Mar. 2025
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Conan was the perfect host – skillfully guiding us through the evening with humor, warmth and reverence.—
Paul Grein,
Billboard,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
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In French air force service, the Mirage 2000-5F flies with a combination of a Serval radar warning receiver, a Sabre jammer and an Eclair chaff and flare dispenser.—
David Axe,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
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Not wind but a chaff of pollen choking in that whirl.—
David Baker,
The Atlantic,
8 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Persiflage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persiflage. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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