talk around
phrasal verb
talked around; talking around; talks around
1
: to avoid talking about (a particular subject) especially because it is difficult, unpleasant, or embarrassing
They've been talking around the real issue rather than addressing it directly.
2
: to cause (someone) to accept and support something (such as an idea) after opposing it
She says she doesn't agree with it, but we'll talk her around eventually.
—often + toWe can talk her around to our way of thinking.
Examples of talk around in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Netanyahu’s visit to the White House comes as American, Israeli and Arab negotiators begin talks around a second phase of a ceasefire plan for Gaza, which has so far shown promise of ending the devastating 15-month war.
—
Dan Mangan, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2025
Language There’s some condescending language and talk around doing evil.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 29 Jan. 2025
And while most of the talk around the St. Louis Blues has been about a possible trade deadline sell-off, the team has looked rejuvenated since goalie Jordan Binnington and defenseman Colton Parayko returned from the 4 Nations Face-Off with championship medals for Canada.
—Carol Schram, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
The only good way of talking about red may be talking around it.
—Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
Senator Michael Bennet, a Democrat representing Colorado, became exasperated when Gabbard continued to talk around a condemnation of Snowden’s actions and refused to recant past comments justifying Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
—Brian Bennett, TIME, 30 Jan. 2025
When asked if that could be considered, McCarthy talked around the topic.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Jan. 2025
Starting off the season at 8-1 with talks around becoming a true title contender, Phoenix has nosedived into a potential worst-case scenario spot one month before the NBA trade deadline.
—Evan Sidery, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
Nissan and Honda plan to finish talks around June 2025 before establishing a holding company about a year later, with shares being delisted around that time.
—William Gavin, Quartz, 23 Dec. 2024
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Dan Mangan, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2025
Language There’s some condescending language and talk around doing evil.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 29 Jan. 2025
And while most of the talk around the St. Louis Blues has been about a possible trade deadline sell-off, the team has looked rejuvenated since goalie Jordan Binnington and defenseman Colton Parayko returned from the 4 Nations Face-Off with championship medals for Canada.
—Carol Schram, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
The only good way of talking about red may be talking around it.
—Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
Senator Michael Bennet, a Democrat representing Colorado, became exasperated when Gabbard continued to talk around a condemnation of Snowden’s actions and refused to recant past comments justifying Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
—Brian Bennett, TIME, 30 Jan. 2025
When asked if that could be considered, McCarthy talked around the topic.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Jan. 2025
Starting off the season at 8-1 with talks around becoming a true title contender, Phoenix has nosedived into a potential worst-case scenario spot one month before the NBA trade deadline.
—Evan Sidery, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
Nissan and Honda plan to finish talks around June 2025 before establishing a holding company about a year later, with shares being delisted around that time.
—William Gavin, Quartz, 23 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Talk around.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/talk%20around. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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