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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Late in last year’s campaign, Trump promised a 10 percent raise for all agents along with recruitment and retention bonuses of $10,000.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 May 2025 -
The presumption is that job security—as well as promotions, funding, and possibly bonuses—were linked to progress on this score.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
16 May 2025
Noun
-
The contractor executive, Jessie Bledsoe, agreed to pay the bribe, prosecutors said.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
13 May 2025
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Other officers were charged with fraud, accepting bribes, possessing assault weapons and various other crimes.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
7 May 2025
Noun
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The front office opted to trade away Cody Bellinger and bring in Kyle Tucker in a move that has paid strong dividends so far this season.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 May 2025
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At the end of the month, all daily dividends are totaled and paid.—
Elliot Raphaelson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 May 2025
Noun
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Every year, teachers help families with Christmas gifts and Thanksgiving dinners, Liggins said.—
Silas Allen,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 May 2025
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However, invoking this ban now would have been a bad, bad look, not to mention a motivational gift to the league’s most talented team.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
Noun
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The administration’s efforts to stop this gravy train threaten the climate house of cards built up for decades.—
Peter Murphy,
Boston Herald,
14 May 2025
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This just-okay kids’ film — the sort trying to capitalize on the Harry Potter gravy train way after the fact — is set in the 1950s as a boy, Lewis (Owen Vaccaro), is sent to live with his eccentric uncle Jonathan (Jack Black) after his parents’ tragic death.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
15 Mar. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Cumshaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cumshaw. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
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