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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of banter
Daniel Arkin, NBC News, 6 Jan. 2025
The comedian managed to balance the fine line between making a critical commentary on Hollywood while also keeping the banter light.
—Katherine Singh, refinery29.com, 6 Jan. 2025
Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez, The Courier-Journal, 27 Nov. 2024
Musk bantered back in what most observers assumed was a joke.
—Benjamin Svetkey and Julian Sancton, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for banter 
Noun
But for whatever reason, the banter on the teleprompter isn't really landing.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC News, 6 Jan. 2025
The comedian managed to balance the fine line between making a critical commentary on Hollywood while also keeping the banter light.
—Katherine Singh, refinery29.com, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
Venom is hunted by antagonistic forces from his home world while Eddie runs afoul of more human villains, and the bantering bosom buddies have to work together to save each other.
—Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez, The Courier-Journal, 27 Nov. 2024
Musk bantered back in what most observers assumed was a joke.
—Benjamin Svetkey and Julian Sancton, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for banter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for banter
Noun
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But the joke’s on me after his sweet touch and finish (above) at Manchester United in the Europa League last night.—
Phil Hay,
The Athletic,
24 Jan. 2025
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These shows are led by a cast of improv comedians, leading into the various personalities’ wit and humor over scripted jokes.—
Sara Belcher,
People.com,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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After a few more laughs, Reynolds turned sentimental and shared some heartfelt words about Jackman.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
25 Jan. 2025
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My wife got a good laugh out of my fleeting optimism.—
Jon Greenberg,
The Athletic,
24 Jan. 2025
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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This is a love affair blossoming on the planet of non sequiturs, the kind of repartee moviegoers used to get with William Powell and Carole Lombard, or Cary Grant and Irene Dunne.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
TIME,
17 Jan. 2025
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The audience was often in stitches thanks to her witty repartee—and Stewart has given his seal of approval.—
Billie Schwab Dunn,
Newsweek,
6 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Through it all—the fights, the coupon cutting, the hand-me-downs, the breakdowns—with love, humor and perseverance, the family prevails.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
28 Jan. 2025
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Despite great chemistry between stars Matthew McConaughey, Ethan Hawke, Skeet Ulrich, and Vincent D'Onofrio, The Newton Boys is a crime film without much tension that devolves into a hangout picture without the humor or wit of his better, well, hangout pictures.—
Brian Smolensky and James Mercadante,
EW.com,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Now, chatter should only pick up as the team figures out its long-term direction heading into what will be — as usual — an important offseason for a franchise that’s closing in on being mathematically eliminated from playoff contention for a ninth straight season.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Jan. 2025
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Now, weeks after some of the Hollywood trades reported Chris Evans would be making his Marvel return in that event film, the actor himself denies the chatter.—
Nick Romano,
EW.com,
30 Jan. 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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The ribbing kicked off Saturday with this tweet on X — seen 11 million times as of Sunday morning — from Joshua Bessex, a photojournalist for The Buffalo News.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
26 Jan. 2025
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The material is 70 percent cotton with cozy ribbing and a bit of stretch.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near banter
Cite this Entry
“Banter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/banter. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
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