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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The company’s board cited successful passage of Senate Bill 371, which lowered Uber’s accident liability for underinsured drivers, as a major reason for awarding two Uber executives annual bonuses of more than $1 million last year.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
13 May 2026 -
And, to be clear, none of the $625,000 in bonuses – which represent only a small fraction of the Estate's expenses for the period in question - were paid to the executors, and the court did not in any way say that the executors had made any inappropriate payments to themselves.—
Ilana Kaplan,
PEOPLE,
13 May 2026
Noun
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Prosecutors alleged that the defendants paid more than $250 million in bribes to Indian government officials, misled investors and banks to raise billions of dollars, and obstructed justice, according to court documents.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
15 May 2026
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Latifi’s sources indicate that most of these kids are already being paid—usually in the form of bribes.—
Kristen Martin,
The Atlantic,
13 May 2026
Noun
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Investors should focus on shares in companies with strong balance sheets that pay dividends, and maintain a balance of investment styles, said Angelo Kourkafas, senior global investment strategist at Edward Jones.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
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If Rodgers and the Steelers are going to raise their ceiling in Year 2, several offseason moves need to pay dividends.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
Noun
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As is customary for the exponentially gifted among us, Gilbert Chevalier’s gifts for playing football, not soccer, with its robotic evocation of socks and fouls, but football, poetic, sensual, democratic football, earned him triumph and glory and even a brief siesta on top of the world.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 May 2026
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Save on adult and kids' neck pillows (starting at $29), and get great gifts for the whole family.—
Jamie Spain,
Condé Nast Traveler,
13 May 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Cumshaws.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cumshaws. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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