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
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
Not only were these beads a coveted status symbol, but the powerful Mohawk of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy (or Five Nations Iroquois) of what is now upstate New York, raided coastal peoples who did not furnish wampum for Haudenosaunee rituals.
—National Geographic, 19 Nov. 2020
Many of his pieces are horizontal, recalling the forms of early panoramic art and the woven wampum belts that are a cultural touchstone of his people.
—New York Times, 4 Oct. 2021
See All Example Sentences for wampum
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
Not only were these beads a coveted status symbol, but the powerful Mohawk of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy (or Five Nations Iroquois) of what is now upstate New York, raided coastal peoples who did not furnish wampum for Haudenosaunee rituals.
—National Geographic, 19 Nov. 2020
Many of his pieces are horizontal, recalling the forms of early panoramic art and the woven wampum belts that are a cultural touchstone of his people.
—New York Times, 4 Oct. 2021
See All Example Sentences for wampum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wampum
Noun
-
Supporters say the extra money is a smart investment because of the crucial decisions council members and the mayor must make, including reading contracts, making policies and understanding proposals to make nuanced changes to city laws and codes.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 May 2025
-
The Army and Marine Corps also use the money to woo troops to some combat, armor and artillery jobs.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 May 2025
Noun
-
In the next few years, expect to see even more people quietly stacking cash from their living rooms, offering hyper-specific products and services and never worrying about beating the algorithm.—
King Holder,
Rolling Stone,
22 May 2025
-
Why that spot is so coveted is obvious: both finalists need the cash.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
Aniston, now 56, played a girl trying to stop his murderous rampage after his gold coins were stolen.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
23 May 2025
-
Trump spoke to the top 220 investors of his meme coin at his Virginia golf club after flying there from the White House on a military helicopter.—
Sara Dorn,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
American tariffs are anticipated to further take a toll on U.S. currency values.—
Allison Landa,
Travel + Leisure,
21 May 2025
-
The absence of local currency, however, makes things murkier.—
Jacopo Prisco,
CNN Money,
20 May 2025
Noun
-
Another item predicted to do well is Lot #18, a director’s chair crafted in wood with a red leather seat and back, with Lynch’s name emblazoned in gold on the latter.—
Laurie Brookins,
HollywoodReporter,
30 May 2025
-
The category of articles with previous metals includes gold, silver, platinum and other derivative forms of the three, but in the first quarter was more than 90% gold for only the third time in more than two decades.—
Ken Roberts,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wampum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wampum. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share