persiflage

noun

ˈpər-si-ˌfläzh How to pronounce persiflage (audio)
Definition of persiflagenext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for persiflage
  1. joke
  2. raillery
  3. badinage
  4. banter
  5. laugh
  6. jesting
  7. repartee
  8. humor
Noun
  • Its frothy, pastel hues and single moment of contrived levity (when one dance claims a trumpet solo for a joke about jamming her toe) is one of those quintessential examples of Balanchine’s repertoire showing its age.
    — Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • And the Longhorns’ quarterback, Arch Manning, was the butt of the joke.
    — Noah White, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of joke
Noun
  • With time, their caustic raillery transforms into sincere attachment.
    — Charlie Tyson, The Atlantic, 13 May 2021
  • 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
Definition of raillery
Noun
  • The speed and clarity with which Cruise delivers that monologue extends to his interactions with his co-stars in scenes that recall the whip-smart comedies of Preston Sturges in their fast badinage.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Left on their own, boisterous badinage between old school British thespian Shaw and giggly, hyper-ventilating wannabe movie star Dreyfuss has taken hold.
    — Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 10 Mar. 2026
Definition of badinage
Noun
  • The director, Sanchez, deftly leads the effort with invisible but subtly effective staging, ensuring that the family banter propels the flow.
    — Bill Hirschman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The pace of the Sorkinian banter is meaningful beyond its showiness.
    — Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of banter
Noun
  • But acknowledging a property’s cheesy elements isn’t the same as generating consistent laughs from the situation.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Among the biggest laughs of the ceremony came during Friml’s take on an awards-show in memoriam.
    — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of laugh
Noun
  • Hudson showed some subtle support for the jesting knocks to her boyfriend by reposting a clip of his final joke shared on Fox News' official X page.
    — Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
  • No matter what happened, Dunham could not seem to help posting through it, her public persona one of infinite jesting confession.
    — Madeline Leung Coleman, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2026
Definition of jesting
Noun
  • The repartee sparkles; the farcical touches lighten the tone.
    — Leigh Haber, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Beyond the repartee between Nick and Sam, Addy and Wyatt share a sibling-like relationship that could turn into something more, especially since Wyatt is nursing a broken heart following the sudden end of his engagement.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of repartee
Noun
  • The event, known for its blend of philanthropy, politics and humor, also featured comedian Jim Gaffigan, who poked fun at the influential crowd gathered in the ballroom.
    — Dick Brennan, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Cora Frazier has contributed humor writing to The New Yorker since 2012.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of humor

Browse Nearby Words

Persian lambs
persiflage
persist
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Cite this Entry

“Persiflage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persiflage. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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