as in joke
good-natured teasing or exchanging of clever remarks
members of the Algonquin Round Table were known for their brilliant and witty banter
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in to joke
to make jokes
the teacher bantered pleasantly, albeit a bit awkwardly, with the students at the school dance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of banter
Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 14 Oct. 2024
The fourth movie in this series has the good backstory drama, the icon finally sitting in the captain’s seat, and it’s also got the best banter with Elise’s trusty assistants, played by Angus Sampson and original Insidious scribe Leigh Whannell.
—Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2024
Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 27 Sep. 2024
There will be no studio audience during the 90-minute VP debate, but expect some sparring and more bickering than bantering ahead of the 2 minute closing arguments.
—Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for banter 
Noun
Of course, fans of both Brits have been waiting for this interview since their flirty banter at the GQ's Men of the Year Awards went viral in November 2022…and again at the Golden Globes just a couple months later.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 14 Oct. 2024
The fourth movie in this series has the good backstory drama, the icon finally sitting in the captain’s seat, and it’s also got the best banter with Elise’s trusty assistants, played by Angus Sampson and original Insidious scribe Leigh Whannell.
—Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2024
Verb
While stylish and cool, the film hits a lot of the usual buddy-comedy tropes but its two leads are just a joy to watch together, bantering and staring each other down as their characters go from frenemies to partners as their night goes gradually awry.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 27 Sep. 2024
There will be no studio audience during the 90-minute VP debate, but expect some sparring and more bickering than bantering ahead of the 2 minute closing arguments.
—Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for banter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for banter
Noun
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Saget and Coulier’s characters — who have also gained weight in old age — repeatedly make jokes about her size, which didn’t sit right with the Tanneritos hosts.John Russell, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
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Highlights included jokes about Trump, who hosted SNL in 2015, wearing an orange and yellow safety jacket as a jab at a garbage controversy and a comedic bit involving a broken microphone.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Both versions delivered a skillful cocktail of laughs and scares without true paranormal activity.Anupama Chopra, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Nov. 2024
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By actively engaging in speech and listening for a response, Archie is not only finding a way to make his friends and family laugh, but also boosting his neural processing capacities.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
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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Charton is disarming and funny, and the two are clearly enamored with each other, falling into natural repartee about their kids and each other.Rachel Handler, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2024
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Crockett has amassed growing recognition by introducing the art of the masterful clapback to a Democratic Party that hasn’t always been known for its quick repartee.Emma Specter, Vogue, 7 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Black Dog was a case of the latter, with dark humor framing its gritty tale of an ex-con returning to his rural hometown to start his life again.Mathew Scott, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Nov. 2024
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But being in your early thirties and playing yourself as a junior high school student and then surrounding yourself with age-appropriate actors who are actually going through that hellish rite of passage brings a whole new layer of cringe and humor.Jennifer M. Wood, WIRED, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Quartz’s Rocio Fabbro runs down Powell’s limited chatter about it.Melvin Backman, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
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Around 9:15, someone turned up the volume and Rachel Maddow’s voice rose above the chatter, warning that results would be coming in all night.Curbed Staff, Curbed, 6 Nov. 2024
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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The riffs and ribbing were still there, as were the parables about fame and celebrity as corruptive, murder-inspiring forces.Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024
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The wide hem is made with gorgeous ribbing that completes the look, and the sweater is even double discounted to just $37 for a limited time.Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 8 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near banter
Cite this Entry
“Banter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/banter. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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