slush fund

noun

1
: a fund raised from the sale of refuse to obtain small luxuries or pleasures for a warship's crew
2
: a fund for bribing public officials or carrying on corruptive propaganda
3
: an unregulated fund often used for illicit purposes

Examples of slush fund in a Sentence

a secret slush fund for paying bribes
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Since his tenure ended, the LDP has faced fallout over a slush fund scandal, an inflation surge, and a rightward political shift across the country. Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025 Crucially, the slush fund scandal led the LDP to dismantle its factional system, long considered the root of undue influence of money on politics but which for decades had structured intraparty competition over funds and appointments. Mireya Solís, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2025 In the 2022 session, lawmakers created a $500 million slush fund for DeSantis to use in an emergency, such as quickly providing post-hurricane aid. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2025 Critics said the spending lacked transparency, with one current city councilor likening Promote Carmel to a slush fund. Jake Allen, IndyStar, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for slush fund

Word History

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of slush fund was in 1839

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Slush fund.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slush%20fund. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on slush fund

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!