1
as in bonuses
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 bribes
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 cumshaws
Noun
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The airline is looking to incentivize its pilots with bonuses to cut down on their aircraft’s fuel consumption from next year.—
Ian King,
CNBC,
1 Apr. 2026 -
The cast of Netflix’s YA comedy XO, Kitty also tried renegotiating after Season 2 but received nominal bonuses instead, sources said.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Christopher and Joseph Ponzo — ex-Stoneham police officers — defrauded a company to obtain tens of millions of dollars of Mass Save funds through paying bribes and kickbacks to company employees.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
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According to The Associated Press, prosecutors are investigating whether the sisters accepted bribes or kickbacks in connection with the appropriation of city funds to a migrant shelter provider.—
CBS New York Team,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In addition, the names have a high earnings certainty and a good track record of dividends, with a cut of less than once every four years.—
Michelle Fox,
CNBC,
6 Apr. 2026
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Counted income includes Social Security benefits, pension payments, IRA payments, property income, alimony, dividends, salary and wages.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
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For the third game in a row, Towns — a six-time All-Star specifically for his scoring gifts — was invisible on offense in the first half before imposing his will over the second two quarters as the Knicks attempted to punch themselves back into a game.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
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Save that extra cash for gifts.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Cumshaws.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cumshaws. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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