PALAVER Synonyms: 137 Similar and Opposite Words

palaver 1 of 2

noun

pə-ˈla-vər

Definition of palaver

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

Relevance

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

as in to chat

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

All the palaver over a new stadium, though, can be shelved until the Bears’ season is officially over. — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026 The central feature is a mass-timber column that branches into ceiling ribs, an indoor urban form of the palaver tree where villagers in West Africa gather to resolve conflicts. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 5 May 2025

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

At least two federal bills to regulate AI in politics are pending discussion and approval by lawmakers.

— Anagilmara Vílchez, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026
SpaceX is attempting to build the fourth nationwide wireless carrier by combining its Starlink direct-to-device network with ground infrastructure, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with discussions.

— Paulina Likos, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of discussion

Noun

After maybe 10,000 individual motes of noise that chatter like mouse clicks, the song ends with a slow, jangly fadeout.

— Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
Schulman added that SpaceX’s mobile carrier strategy is already apparent, citing industry chatter.

— Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of chatter

Verb

Fresh off a red-eye flight after winning his fourth Hugo Award, Scalzi stopped by to chat with us about his newest novel, Monsters of Ohio.

— Sam Macdonald, Scientific American, 28 Oct. 2026
Between chatting with volunteers and meeting fans, Kate opened up a bit about family life.

— Ilaria Perrotta, Vanity Fair, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of chat

Noun

The European Commission opened a public consultation on circular VAT in September of this year.

— Cleo Levin, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026
Experts who are part of consultations expect the new policy to lay down clear and consistent rules, which will also help the industry overcome challenges around land acquisition and simplify a fragmented approval process.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of consultation

Noun

The four countries agreed Monday to continue talks on expanding cooperation among them, particularly about regional peace and security, a statement said.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
Those talks collapsed over price and worries about antitrust pushback, neither of which hold true today.

— Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of talk

Verb

Another image shows Pitt and Debicki conversing at a bar, while a different shot features him on a tennis court with Debicki, Caan and Gugino.

— Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026
The Pope woke up from surgical anesthesia without any complications, and requested dinner while conversing with Vatican staff.

— Alice Park, Time, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of converse

Noun

Essential California asked the bishop about his letter and the church’s role in the immigration debate while checking in with a couple of Catholic scholars who offered their perspectives.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
This seems like a perfectly reasonable debate/dialogue/deliberation to have without everybody--well, most bodies--running for the exits.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of debate

Browse Nearby Words

palatines

palaver

palavered

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Palaver.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palaver. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of palaver

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes