as in chat
friendly, informal conversation or an instance of this
at the corporate get-together we made the obligatory small talk with some people from the home office
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of small talk
That’s good news for the families of players, coaches, staffers and media members, but bad news for fans looking to avoid having to make small talk during the holidays.
—
Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 15 May 2026
In a video about an erratic Uber driver, a recognizable dynamic—awkward small talk, impatience to set off—escalates into a life-threatening one.
—Alex Barasch, New Yorker, 11 May 2026
Individuals were randomly assigned to either be as efficient as possible when placing their order - no small talk with the staff - or to be more social with the barista.
—Rhitu Chatterjee, NPR, 9 May 2026
Another subtler contributor may be the loss of small talk among people in public spaces.
—Markham Heid, Time, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for small talk
Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 15 May 2026
In a video about an erratic Uber driver, a recognizable dynamic—awkward small talk, impatience to set off—escalates into a life-threatening one.
—Alex Barasch, New Yorker, 11 May 2026
Individuals were randomly assigned to either be as efficient as possible when placing their order - no small talk with the staff - or to be more social with the barista.
—Rhitu Chatterjee, NPR, 9 May 2026
Another subtler contributor may be the loss of small talk among people in public spaces.
—Markham Heid, Time, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for small talk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small talk
Noun
-
Copy, paste and edit the square brackets in ChatGPT, and keep the same chat window open so the context carries through.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
In February 2026, Maher resurfaced their feud during a chat with Kimmel’s former The Man Show cohost Adam Carolla.—
Brianna Zigler,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 June 2026
Noun
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Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Islamabad was preparing for an electronic signing, to be followed by technical-level talks in the coming week.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
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If vulnerability feels risky, slow the pace and keep the talk on facts first, then add feelings once both sides steady.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
14 June 2026
Noun
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Political chatter was less direct for much of the evening, with most discussion limited to how honored the fighters were to be competing at the White House, with an emphasis on celebrating veterans and first responders.—
William Earl,
Variety,
15 June 2026
-
Not that that chatter didn’t exist.—
Sara Germano,
Sportico.com,
15 June 2026
Noun
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When the table talk turns political, Hagains suggests shifting your approach instead of your mood.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Nov. 2025
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Each monthly box includes three recipe guides, skill lessons, a kitchen tool, a kitchen project, an apron patch, table talk cards, and a grocery list.—
Jessica Booth,
Parents,
16 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Small talk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small%20talk. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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