greenback

noun

green·​back ˈgrēn-ˌbak How to pronounce greenback (audio)
Synonyms of greenbacknext
: a legal-tender note issued by the U.S. government

Synonyms of greenback

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Examples of greenback in a Sentence

she threw a few greenbacks on the counter to pay for the drinks
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The index was little changed on Monday as investors expressed little appetite to bid up the greenback. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026 The Poudre Headwaters Project is working to restore greenback cutthroat trout to its native waterways in the Cache la Poudre watershed. — Logan Smith, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026 Back in the mid-1980s, the dollar’s strength against other major currencies triggered a crisis that had Washington reducing the value of the greenback, a key factor that led to the stock market crash in 1987. — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026 The dollar’s valuation says little about dollar hegemony Executives and investors around the world have good reason to care about the greenback’s value as their revenues, assets, liabilities, and competitiveness often depend on it. — Philipp Carlsson-Szlezak, Fortune, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for greenback

Word History

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of greenback was in 1862

Rhymes for greenback

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Browse Nearby Words

Greenaway
greenback
green-backed goldfinch
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Cite this Entry

“Greenback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/greenback. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

greenback

noun
green·​back ˈgrēn-ˌbak How to pronounce greenback (audio)
: a piece of U.S. paper money
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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