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
made some real wampum on that last business deal
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 wampum
Entering the New-York Historical Society from Central Park West, all visitors come upon a section of wampum belt and the kind of statement that in the last several years has become standard fare at cultural institutions.
—
Marc Tracy, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2024
Similar stories played out with other forms of money, such as wampum beads.
—Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
Elizabeth James-Perry and Erin Genia: Wampanoag and Dakota Adornment
James-Perry, honored this year with a National Heritage Fellowship by the National Endowment for the Arts, makes wampum jewelry, textiles, and maritime art directly tied to her Aquinnah Wampanoag tribal heritage.
—Lauren Daley, BostonGlobe.com, 25 July 2023
Some of their gear—a pair of shoes, a VHF radio, a wampum sash worth several thousand dollars—now resides on the canal’s bottom.
—Ben McGrath, The New Yorker, 3 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for wampum
Marc Tracy, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2024
Similar stories played out with other forms of money, such as wampum beads.
—Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
Elizabeth James-Perry and Erin Genia: Wampanoag and Dakota Adornment
James-Perry, honored this year with a National Heritage Fellowship by the National Endowment for the Arts, makes wampum jewelry, textiles, and maritime art directly tied to her Aquinnah Wampanoag tribal heritage.
—Lauren Daley, BostonGlobe.com, 25 July 2023
Some of their gear—a pair of shoes, a VHF radio, a wampum sash worth several thousand dollars—now resides on the canal’s bottom.
—Ben McGrath, The New Yorker, 3 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for wampum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wampum
Noun
-
There's much more, but this is a taster of how much money and time the partnership divert back into the area.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
But they are constrained by money—its excess and its absence.—
Katy Siegel,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Carson’s entry took second prize and a thousand-dollar cash award.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
-
The deal was reportedly valued at over $1 billion and involved a mix of cash and stock.—
Amelia Lucas,Melissa Repko,
CNBC,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
The President is also slated to appear on a number of coins, including a commemorative 24-karat gold coin and a $1 coin that will reportedly circulate as currency.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
29 May 2026
-
In all recent drafts, the second round has gone in reverse order of win-loss record, with no lottery and ties settled by a coin toss.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
The Indian currency has been under pressure from its rising import bill and sustained capital outflows, even prompting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to appeal to citizens to help conserve foreign exchange.—
Sri Jegarajah,Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
-
Bitcoin offers growth potential tied to adoption Like gold, Bitcoin is often viewed as a hedge against currency debasement because its supply is limited.—
Sharon Wu,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
How to make big, well, some bucks in late night?—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
29 May 2026
-
Like any automaker, Jeep isn't afraid to collect a few bucks licensing out its brand to slap onto all kinds of basic lifestyle gear and consumer goods – from tote bags and tumblers to cheese boards and electric wine openers.—
C.C. Weiss
May 22,
New Atlas,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
Ten days have passed since eight villagers entered the cave in search of gold deposits and were trapped inside by flash flooding.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
The gold Mega Ball ranges from 1 to 24.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wampum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wampum. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
