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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The remainder of his compensation came from vacation payouts, car allowances and bonuses.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026 -
Members will also receive extended return benefits and birthday bonuses, and can donate rewards to select charitable organizations.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In 2012, the former governor, Mario Villanueva, pleaded guilty in a US federal court to laundering millions of dollars in narco-bribes.—
Mary Beth Sheridan,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
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Okoronkwo received the payment in a certain trust account to try to create the false impression that the bribe payment was made up of client funds.—
Ryanne Mena,
Daily News,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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For qualified people, the Individual Investors Act waives island and federal income taxes on dividends, interest, and capital gains for residents who live in Puerto Rico for at least 183 days of the year.—
Patricia Doherty,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Feb. 2026
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The president has consistently misrepresented his tariffs, claiming despite evidence to the contrary that foreign governments would pay them and that the revenues would be sufficient to pay down the national debt and give taxpayers a dividend check.—
Josh Boak,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Another calls for the State Department to take over a portal that tracks foreign gifts to universities.—
Annie Ma,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
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Just sending a gift will upset my sister.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Mercury News,
24 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Cumshaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cumshaw. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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