1
as in bonuses
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 bribes
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 cumshaws
Noun
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And given how the likes of Meta are racing to snap up top talent—sometimes with $100 million bonuses—the loss of key personnel could fatally affect a business’s ability to grow and innovate.—
Tiz Gambacorta,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025 -
For comparison, Paris last summer was the first time Jamaica paid out bonuses at an Olympics.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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She was infamously shown stuffing $1,000 in cash bribes into her bra in a photo that was released by the feds.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
9 Sep. 2025
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Spagnuolo is very clear about supposed bribes paid by pharmaceutical companies in the context of purchases by Andis, to the tune of 5 to 8 percent, which were funneled directly into the pockets of the Menems and Karina.—
Agustino Fontevecchia,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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While not all activists are the same, there are many examples of activist directors pressing for an immediate sale of the company, buybacks, special dividends, or asset disposals rather than investments in growth.—
Kai Liekefett,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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The Tank Bigsby trade The Eagles’ acquisition of running back/kickoff returner Tank Bigsby could pay immediate dividends for the team with Will Shipley sidelined because of an oblique injury.—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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But physical gifts, even those as impressive as Metcalf’s, can only take an athlete so far.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
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In 2006, Universal Music Group and other major labels settled with New York State for $12 million over traditional payola, where radio stations received payments or expensive gifts in exchange for airplay.—
Jared Brenner,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Cumshaws.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cumshaws. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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