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
Ars Technica, 24 Dec. 2024
The camaraderie in the band, and between them and the audience, is apparent even before the song starts from Springsteen’s now-canon joking stage banter.
—Justin Curto, Vulture, 24 Dec. 2024
Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 31 Oct. 2024
Two podcasts hosts banter back and forth during the final episode of their series, audibly anxious to share some distressing news with listeners.
—Reece Rogers, WIRED, 2 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for banter 
Noun
Instead, showrunner Gemma Burgess has put together an irreverent engaging romp rife with witty banter, political intrigue, and a bit of derring-do—not to mention a killer soundtrack.
—Ars Technica, 24 Dec. 2024
The camaraderie in the band, and between them and the audience, is apparent even before the song starts from Springsteen’s now-canon joking stage banter.
—Justin Curto, Vulture, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
Everyone is having a grand old time, as Pascal banters with the host about whether the meat in their stew was chicken or rooster.
—Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 31 Oct. 2024
Two podcasts hosts banter back and forth during the final episode of their series, audibly anxious to share some distressing news with listeners.
—Reece Rogers, WIRED, 2 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for banter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for banter
Noun
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The comedian made an appearance on CNN New Year's Eve Live special alongside Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen and her fiery jokes targeted toward the network, and Democrats have quickly taken off online.Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 1 Jan. 2025
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And their seeming failure to look at it has become a running joke with my husband.Philip Galanes, New York Times, 1 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Creative differences subsequently prompted Ramis to depart the film, but his replacement, the comparatively unknown Dean Parisot, also understood how to walk that fine line between drama, big-screen spectacle, and laughs — mainly by playing everything straight.Richard Edwards, Space.com, 31 Dec. 2024
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For a dose of nostalgia, all five seasons of The Bernie Mac Show arrive on January 1, offering timeless laughs from the late, great Bernie Mac.Okla Jones, Essence, 30 Dec. 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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The resulting series has a lot of fun with its premise, boosted even further by the affectionate repartee between stars Stephanie Hsu and Zosia Mamet.Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Dec. 2024
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The pretrial hearing Friday, in which Paxton was present but quiet, was animated with repartee between Dan Cogdell, Paxton's defense attorney, and state special prosecutor Brian Wice, a Houston criminal defense attorney.Bayliss Wagner, Austin American-Statesman, 16 Feb. 2024
Noun
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The series gradually balanced its humor with drama, allowing the tragedy of war to coexist with the rules of its sitcom formula.Danny Horn, EW.com, 28 Dec. 2024
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Set in Wales and Essex, England, where Gavin hails from, the show became a hit when it was first released thanks to its humor and loving portrayal of family and friendship.David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Hong Kong and Mainland China grinded higher, led by growth stocks and consumer subsectors on chatter of holiday season vouchers and in anticipation of the post-CEWC release’s pro-consumption and fiscal policy expansion.Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
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The chatter began as soon as Trump first announced that Vance would join him on the Republican presidential ticket.Jeremiah Poff, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 10 Dec. 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
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Cite this Entry
“Banter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/banter. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.
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