as in to chat
to engage in casual or rambling conversation
spent the time she should have been working gabbing with friends instead
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in chat
friendly, informal conversation or an instance of this
a car salesman with the proverbial gift for gab
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of gab
Seija Rankin, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Trump’s tendency to gab meant that minimizing his time on the witness stand was a no-brainer.
—John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2023
The series mimics the formula of most wellness podcasts—each episode features a topic such as skin care or sleep, and the hosts gab about various products—but the conversation takes sudden digressions, plumbing the ways in which a mind, addled by the industry, struggles to know peace.
—Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2021
And right in the middle is Piano’s architectural intimation of what a museum is for: The entire building is organized around a soaring central courtyard with a smattering of cafe tables, where students and locals alike study, work, or gab happily in a cool wash of daylight pouring in from above.
—Murray Whyte, BostonGlobe.com, 6 May 2022
On the show, Phil and his co-hosts gab in crisp accents about pawn sacrifices and variations on the Sicilian Defense with the rowdy bonhomie of lads closing down a pub.
—Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 13 July 2022
But a backyard chat or gab through gridlock won’t offer the kind of help many individuals need.
—Washington Post, 5 May 2022
Of course, there’s a lot more to gab about this week than inspirational sports stories, so read on.
—Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2021
Jessica Wang, EW.com, 28 Jan. 2025
As Eden gabs, the pair inch across and climb over rows in search of maximum comfort and no moisture.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2024
Writers tend to have a gift for writing but not for gab.
—Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 18 Jan. 2024
Throw in Howell-Baptiste’s very funny loquacious gab, Arterton’s enigmatic iciness, Elgar’s deliciously off-kilter viciousness and a believably raw turn from Abboud and there’s a good core here, one diminished by the strained logic as the series progresses.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Dec. 2023
The world of Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler, the pulps Ellroy loved as a child, and his own private California are distilled into a gab, a grammar for brutality, shame, misogyny, and unresolved mourning.
—Parul Sehgal, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2023
The two gab away while Kris measures, shakes and spears the ingredients.
—Sam Burros, Peoplemag, 26 June 2023
That’s when the two men with gifts for gab on top of gab began crossing paths.
—Brent Zwerneman, ExpressNews.com, 22 Dec. 2020
Pop jams ranging from ABBA to Doja Cat play in the background as the quintet gabs gleefully about everything from Three’s Company to O’Hara’s adorable dachshund puppy, Princess Pink, who makes occasional appearances nearby.
—Stephen Daw, Billboard, 7 June 2023
Verb
Ahead of the audiobook’s May 7 release, and a promotional tour that Wilson admitted is poised to put their love of chat to the ultimate test, the authors spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about all things gab.
—Seija Rankin, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Trump’s tendency to gab meant that minimizing his time on the witness stand was a no-brainer.
—John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2023
The series mimics the formula of most wellness podcasts—each episode features a topic such as skin care or sleep, and the hosts gab about various products—but the conversation takes sudden digressions, plumbing the ways in which a mind, addled by the industry, struggles to know peace.
—Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2021
And right in the middle is Piano’s architectural intimation of what a museum is for: The entire building is organized around a soaring central courtyard with a smattering of cafe tables, where students and locals alike study, work, or gab happily in a cool wash of daylight pouring in from above.
—Murray Whyte, BostonGlobe.com, 6 May 2022
On the show, Phil and his co-hosts gab in crisp accents about pawn sacrifices and variations on the Sicilian Defense with the rowdy bonhomie of lads closing down a pub.
—Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 13 July 2022
But a backyard chat or gab through gridlock won’t offer the kind of help many individuals need.
—Washington Post, 5 May 2022
Of course, there’s a lot more to gab about this week than inspirational sports stories, so read on.
—Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2021
Noun
As Margot departs, Jim turns his attention back to Jenni and gabs about a former coworker named Dave, who recently lost 100 pounds.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 28 Jan. 2025
As Eden gabs, the pair inch across and climb over rows in search of maximum comfort and no moisture.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2024
Writers tend to have a gift for writing but not for gab.
—Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 18 Jan. 2024
Throw in Howell-Baptiste’s very funny loquacious gab, Arterton’s enigmatic iciness, Elgar’s deliciously off-kilter viciousness and a believably raw turn from Abboud and there’s a good core here, one diminished by the strained logic as the series progresses.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Dec. 2023
The world of Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler, the pulps Ellroy loved as a child, and his own private California are distilled into a gab, a grammar for brutality, shame, misogyny, and unresolved mourning.
—Parul Sehgal, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2023
The two gab away while Kris measures, shakes and spears the ingredients.
—Sam Burros, Peoplemag, 26 June 2023
That’s when the two men with gifts for gab on top of gab began crossing paths.
—Brent Zwerneman, ExpressNews.com, 22 Dec. 2020
Pop jams ranging from ABBA to Doja Cat play in the background as the quintet gabs gleefully about everything from Three’s Company to O’Hara’s adorable dachshund puppy, Princess Pink, who makes occasional appearances nearby.
—Stephen Daw, Billboard, 7 June 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gab
Verb
-
Celeb flutist Nestor Torres chatted with Miami Beach’s First Couple from the sidelines, inquiring as to what the insanity was all about.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2025
-
Taxi drivers chat about it with passengers, doctors with patients, butchers with customers.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Predictably enough, the Ukrainian government has objected to its exclusion from the peace talks Trump administration officials held with their Russian counterparts this week in Riyadh and, for its trouble, is getting slammed by what is supposed to be its ally, the United States.—
The Editors,
National Review,
20 Feb. 2025
-
Russian state media responded positively to the talks and changing tide in Russia-U.S. relations, as did senior officials in Moscow who are part of Putin’s loyal inner circle.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Known affectionately to friends and strangers alike as Ms. Pearl, folks come to converse with the beloved restaurant owner and sample her incredible Southern comfort cuisine.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2025
-
His neighbors told deputies that Campbell forced his way into the home as the group was conversing about the gospel.—
Louis Casiano,
Fox News,
8 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Just a few years ago, as investors dove into beauty at an unprecedented pace, much of the chatter in the industry was focused on the billion-dollar brand — sales wise.—
Kathryn Hopkins,
WWD,
21 Feb. 2025
-
But what really turned me on to it was seeing social-media chatter from the educational side of things.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
20 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gab. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share