parley 1 of 2

noun

Definition of parleynext
1
as in symposium
a meeting featuring a group discussion held a parley to debate the proposed change in the town's zoning laws

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in discussion
an exchange of views for the purpose of exploring a subject or deciding an issue can we meet for an informal parley to see if we can effect a compromise?

Synonyms & Similar Words

parley

2 of 2

verb

ˈpär-lē How to pronounce parley (audio)
as in to consult
to exchange viewpoints or seek advice for the purpose of finding a solution to a problem in an effort to win the goodwill of the locals, the developers parleyed with them before finalizing plans for the massive mall

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 parley
Noun
For a moment, this high-stakes parley thrust the duo into the spotlight, showing voters that lawmakers can effectively cross the aisle to serve the public. — Erin B. Logan, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2023 And, as part of the risk calculation, this parleys into the probability assessment. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 8 May 2026
Verb
Williams parleyed his success with the Eagles into a four-year, $104 million deal with the Patriots this offseason. — Joseph Hoyt, Dallas Morning News, 4 Feb. 2026 While freely admitting the need for parleying improvement to production, Dilfer was most pleased with the entire program getting together on the same page. — Evan Dudley, al, 1 Aug. 2023 See All Example Sentences for parley
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parley
  1. symposium
  2. discussion
  3. consult
  4. conference
  5. consultation
  6. confer
  7. seminar
  8. debate
Noun
  • Among the attractions are a Maid Cafe inspired by Tokyo’s Akihabara district, the Anime Expo Fashion Show, J-Pop performances, academic symposiums, gaming panels and previews of upcoming anime series and films.
    — City News Service, Daily News, 2 July 2026
  • The Redken Symposium format has evolved over the years—some symposiums have offered more a la carte classes, while this year the focus has been on mainstage sessions.
    — Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of symposium
Noun
  • During Thursday evening’s Board of Commissioners meeting, officials unanimously, and with no additional discussion, approved Johnston’s exit agreement and named Assistant County Administrator Alan Howze as his replacement for the rest of the year.
    — Sofi Zeman July 2, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026
  • Immediately, the call sparked online debate and discussion that will surely continue into next week.
    — Ashley Mowreader, NBC news, 3 July 2026
Definition of discussion
Verb
  • South Florida has the survivors to consult before that option is gone.
    — Masha Pearl, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2026
  • For Nanea, a Hawaiian girl in the 1940s, the company consulted a Pearl Harbor witness.
    — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Definition of consult
Noun
  • Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department During the news conference, Bluthenthal's two children delivered a plea for justice via video, while his mother spoke directly to the crowd.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • And oncology conferences are beginning to include sessions on hormones and how to help women after cancer.
    — Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 30 June 2026
Definition of conference
Noun
  • The agency made the changes without the customary professional consultations, KFF has reported.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • His expensive and ambitious campaign has been conducted with little congressional consultation or oversight, shaped entirely by one man.
    — Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of consultation
Verb
  • Adnan’s accolades not only confer prestige, but also map the breadth of her swooping orbit.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
  • And the company doing the genuine, expensive work of transition loses the one advantage the label was meant to confer, cheaper capital and patient shareholders who believe the plan.
    — Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of confer
Noun
  • The methods used to measure whether vaccines work, and the way they were discussed during the recent seminar, are not a side issue.
    — Ben Lopman, STAT, 2 July 2026
  • The atmosphere was not much better in my upper-level seminars.
    — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
Definition of seminar
Noun
  • And a red card against an American soccer star sparks debate.
    — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 3 July 2026
  • But most companies run scenario-planning exercises, only to rehearse their debates about what to do once a crisis hits.
    — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of debate

Browse Nearby Words

parlays
parley
parleyed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Parley.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parley. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on parley

Nglish: Translation of parley for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

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

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

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All