1
as in bonus
something given in addition to what is ordinarily expected or owed
the clerk at Calcutta airport was clearly angling for a little cumshaw on the side
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in bribe
something given or promised in order to improperly influence a person's conduct or decision
the captain slipped the customs official his customary cumshaw at the Port of Shanghai
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cumshaw
Noun
-
Calipari made $8 million in 2024-25, his first season, counting his one-time $1 million signing bonus.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Sep. 2025 -
After redeeming a Game Piece, fans will get the opportunity to play the bonus game (also known as Bonus Play) in the McDonald’s app for a second chance to win rarer but heftier prizes.—
Sabrina Weiss,
PEOPLE,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Alsenad did not benefit financially from the bribes, according to the plea agreement.—
Christina Hall,
Freep.com,
25 Sep. 2025
-
No job, no bribe, no billion dollars.—
Najwa Jamal,
Curbed,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Three times, including last year, Alaskans received an energy relief payment along with their dividends, according to the state.—
Becky Bohrer,
Fortune,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Palace are continuing to enjoy the dividends from his investment in them.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Well, there was a real gift from the writers as far as that monologue was concerned.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Take a look at your holiday gift wrap, gift bags, bows, and ribbons.—
Amy Panos,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
However, the radical left has seen this coming, and has targeted Wyoming as the gravy train runs out.—
Chuck Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Aug. 2025
-
But neither happened, and the tax-free gravy train continued to roll along.—
Robert W. Wood,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
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.
Cite this Entry
“Cumshaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cumshaw. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share