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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Last year, Lowe’s also gave $80 million in discretionary bonuses store managers and assistant managers.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Feb. 2026 -
The remainder of his compensation came from vacation payouts, car allowances and bonuses.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Among them was an apparent decade-long fraud involving bribes to museum employees, reusing tickets multiple times, and splitting up large groups.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
25 Feb. 2026
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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
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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During market downturns, your account balance may dip even if dividends continue.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Habitat Home decor, locally made artisan items, one-of-a-kind gifts, ceramics, art, textiles, and more are stylishly displayed at this shop founded by a retired Marine.—
Patricia Doherty,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Feb. 2026
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All of those gifts were received prior to Epstein’s guilty plea in Florida in 2008 to charges of solicitation of prostitution with a minor, according to the university’s review of its Epstein connections.—
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
25 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Cumshaws.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cumshaws. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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