as in money
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
a politician who seems more interested in pelf than in policy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pelf
Thomasine and Bushrod join up (as sheriffs relate) and share their pelf with Mexicans, Native Americans, other Black people, and poor white people.
—
Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 13 May 2022
Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 13 May 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pelf
Noun
-
But Boston has not wisely or efficiently reinvested that money into the team, with the exception of the offseason trade for Willson Contreras to play first base.—
Stephen J. Nesbitt,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
The family is now trying to raise money on the fundraising site GoFundMe to bring justice to Jameson and pay for cremation fees.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Trump has frequently complained that Obama’s deal included the transport of cash from the US to Iran.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
-
Brianna was held on a $25,000 cash bond and Kierianna was held on a $100,000 cash bond.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg via Getty Images New designs on the obverse and reverse of the 2026 dime, quarter and half dollar coins will be minted throughout the year to celebrate 250 years since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Dec. 2025
-
On the other side of the coin is Mari B, who brought the subgenre back to its stripped-down, lurking in the shadows roots.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
11 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Robinhood is far from the only crypto‑linked firm cutting staff at a time when the price of Bitcoin and other digital currencies has been slumping, and trading has remained sluggish compared to the crypto boom of 2024.—
Camila Grigera Naón,
Fortune,
16 June 2026
-
The model allows Cubans overseas to pay from abroad for goods delivered on the island, creating a foreign-currency stream connected to GAESA’s retail network.—
Vera Lucia Pappaterra,
Miami Herald,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Two nice bucks were mock sparring with each other, while two larger deer, one of which had a particularly tall rack, were lying down in the sage, keeping an eye on the dozens of does surrounding them.—
John B. Snow,
Outdoor Life,
11 Dec. 2025
-
West Texas crude ripping fifteen bucks would take this thing back down into the 50′s.—
Josh Brown,Sean Russo,
CNBC,
8 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pelf.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pelf. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
