as in cash
something (as pieces of stamped metal or printed paper) customarily and legally used as a medium of exchange, a measure of value, or a means of payment
coins and bills are considered legal tender, but postage stamps are not
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of legal tender
For decades, the U.S. has operated on fiat currency, and while federal law already recognizes U.S. gold and silver coins as legal tender, their actual commercial use has been rare and logistically challenging.
—
James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025
While coins currently in circulation will remain legal tender throughout the country, retailers may eventually start rounding prices to the nearest nickel to compensate.
—Keisha Rowe, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 June 2025
Even after production stops, pennies will remain legal tender in the U.S.
—Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 2 June 2025
But the penny will still remain legal tender, and will still be in use at thousands of retailers around the country for sometime to come.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for legal tender
James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025
While coins currently in circulation will remain legal tender throughout the country, retailers may eventually start rounding prices to the nearest nickel to compensate.
—Keisha Rowe, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 June 2025
Even after production stops, pennies will remain legal tender in the U.S.
—Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 2 June 2025
But the penny will still remain legal tender, and will still be in use at thousands of retailers around the country for sometime to come.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for legal tender
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legal tender
Noun
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Rozier and Laster counted cash winnings at Rozier's home in Charlotte roughly a week later, the indictment says.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
25 Oct. 2025
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Non-itemizers will be able to claim a deduction for cash donations of up to $1,000 for single filers and $2,000 for couples filing jointly.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Alamosa County Sheriff's Office announced the news and said that no additional details would be provided, and Barry's lawyer would only say that the money to secure his client's bond came from his friends and supporters.—
Chris Spargo,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
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Those past titles didn’t come amid this new era of unlimited transfers and name, image and likeness money, which have flattened the top of the sport.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Props and decor — like gold coins, dynamite and cigars — give the party that authentic western feel!—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
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Gold bars and coins were more popular than jewelry among buyers looking to invest in the precious metal, given the sharp rise in gold prices over the last year.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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This type of dual-currency model is considered a loophole by critics and has faced backlash from legislators.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
28 Oct. 2025
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The new currency is content, education and genuine engagement.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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My wages were less than $10 an hour, and funds were so tight that missing out on 30 bucks could mean an electric bill wouldn’t get paid.—
Stephanie Land,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
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There’s plenty of data highlighting how little some bucks actually move during the rut, but that same research shows that some bucks travel a long, long way from home.—
Will Brantley,
Outdoor Life,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Legal tender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legal%20tender. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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