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
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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
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Boston is paying a $5 million signing bonus and has a $30 million club option for 2034, when Anthony will be just thirty years old.—
Dan Freedman,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025 -
They will each be entitled to an annual bonus targeted at $1.5 million each.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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He’s responded by turning his ire on the network, directly accusing them of accepting bribes.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
30 July 2025
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Francisco Perez, 51, pleaded guilty last January to one count of bribery conspiracy after federal authorities accused him of accepting low-level bribes from employees of three local law firms in return for lowering property value assessments.—
Sam Charles,
Chicago Tribune,
29 July 2025
Noun
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Indeed, studying a company's past dividend history can be of good help in judging whether the most recent dividend is likely to continue.—
Dividend Channel,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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Paradoxically, Aramco is key to Saudi efforts to wean itself off oil: The company’s dividends power Riyadh’s $1.15 trillion sovereign wealth fund, which plays a growing role in the domestic economy, and future stock sales could accelerate that effort.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The Milwaukee Sentinel reported on its front page Aug. 14, 1937, that Milwaukee County had accepted a $60,000 gift to build a concert bandshell in Washington Park on the city's west side.—
Chris Foran,
jsonline.com,
13 Aug. 2025
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Find boutique fashion at Pink Threads, consignment clothing at Valerie’s Loft, and home goods and other gift items at The Cardinal’s Nest. Hike at San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park The scenery at San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park is second to none.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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But nothing seems to stop the gravy train, not even the specter of being called out in print.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
13 Aug. 2025
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However, if the U.S. government continues subsidizing nuclear technologies without regard to proliferation risk, then the plutonium entrepreneurs will keep hopping on that gravy train.—
Alan J. Kuperman,
Scientific American,
30 July 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Cumshaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cumshaw. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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