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
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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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The joke being: Champagnes are sparkling wines that come only from the Champagne region of France.—
Timothy DePeugh,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2025
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The joke sparked a furious backlash within Shinde’s Hindu supremacist Shiv Sena political party.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN,
25 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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Postgame press conferences this season for TCU women’s basketball have often been joyous occasions with jokes from head coach Mark Campbell and witty banter between his star players.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Mar. 2025
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Throughout the process, Jenna and Nick worked together, discussing design choices and sharing light-hearted banter.—
USA TODAY,
USA TODAY,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The duchess gave an exaggerated shrug before stifling a laugh.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Mar. 2025
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The friendly exes were spotted sharing a laugh at a paintball party for their youngest child on March 2 to celebrate Samuel becoming a teenager, as seen in photos shared by Page Six.—
Hannah Sacks,
People.com,
25 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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The scripts of the new series are laugh-out-loud funny, managing a delicate balance of raucous, lewd and sweet humor.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA TODAY,
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 31 Mar. 2025.
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