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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wampum
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
There is a really quite amazing scene when Civility and Satcheechoe take a string of wampum and wrap it around the Pennsylvania governor’s arm to symbolically pull him to Albany to meet with all the Native people who have become involved in this case.
—Karin Wulf, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Apr. 2021
See All Example Sentences for wampum
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
There is a really quite amazing scene when Civility and Satcheechoe take a string of wampum and wrap it around the Pennsylvania governor’s arm to symbolically pull him to Albany to meet with all the Native people who have become involved in this case.
—Karin Wulf, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Apr. 2021
See All Example Sentences for wampum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wampum
Noun
-
The bill expanded background checks for gun purchasers under the age of 21 and also provided federal money for state red flag laws.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Mar. 2026
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While a few lifers grumble, this infusion of talent (not to mention tech money) is good news for residents and travelers.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There’s plenty of cash available for pristine credits with credible AI narratives.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
2 Mar. 2026
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Fundraisers can be set up in minutes through a simple app, with no inventory or cash handling required, and organizations keep 50% of every dollar sold.—
Tim Heitmann,
Fortune,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This detailed build also includes a commemorative armored Batman minifigure and a special golden coin built right into the cockpit, which marks 20 years of Lego Batman builds.—
Brittany Anas,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Feb. 2026
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The penny was first created in 1792 and was one of the first coins authorized under the Coinage Act.—
News Service Of Florida,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Outrage is the currency of choice.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Mar. 2026
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Emerging markets currencies like the Brazilian real , Mexican peso and Indian rupee posted notable losses versus the dollar.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Fifty bucks is a lot more of a problem for someone living paycheck to paycheck than a person with a high salary.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
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Tariffs have jacked up prices, costing families an average of $1,000 bucks last year.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The gold Mega Ball ranges from 1 to 24.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
28 Feb. 2026
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Hellebuyck made 35 saves in his first game since backstopping the United States to Olympic gold.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wampum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wampum. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
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