1
as in bonus
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 bribe
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 cumshaw
Noun
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The only fighter who scored a finish who didn’t get a bonus was Jamall Emmers.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
30 Mar. 2025 -
Currently, the minimum pension, with an additional bonus, is less than $300, and pensions are updated monthly according to inflation.—
Manuela Castro,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2025
Noun
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According to the indictment, Jenkins took the bribes from those three men, along with at least five others and two undercover FBI agents.—
Natalie Demaree,
Miami Herald,
21 Mar. 2025
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With the entire scheme laid out and the staff caught red-handed, the district threatens to suspend any teacher taking bribes.—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Between Donato’s hat trick Friday and Sunday’s game, Bedard’s new line with Donato and Ilya Mikheyev is paying early dividends.—
Phil Thompson,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2025
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But no check can be sent out without Congress approving a bill authorizing the dividends.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Even with its luxury focus, Laura Lendrum, CEO of Printemps America, said the store mixes in more approachable items for tourists or aspirational shoppers who may stop by for a cup of coffee or browse for a $50 gift.—
Melissa Repko,
CNBC,
22 Mar. 2025
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For example, payments made through a third-party network for a birthday or holiday or wedding gifts; for sharing the cost of a car ride or meal; or for paying a family member or roommate for a household bill aren’t taxable.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This just-okay kids’ film — the sort trying to capitalize on the Harry Potter gravy train way after the fact — is set in the 1950s as a boy, Lewis (Owen Vaccaro), is sent to live with his eccentric uncle Jonathan (Jack Black) after his parents’ tragic death.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
15 Mar. 2025
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For 20 years, Eastern European governments believed that neoliberal reforms were necessary to keep the gravy train of foreign investment coming.—
Hilary Appel,
Foreign Affairs,
1 June 2015
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Cite this Entry
“Cumshaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cumshaw. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.
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