“Money” does the job — but the right alternative does more. Here are 6 curated replacements, each with a definition, pronunciation, and an example of it working on the page.
Money, especially when regarded as sordid or corrupting in nature.
“He had spent twenty years chasing filthy lucre, only to find it left him hollow.”
Best for: Works well in cynical or moralistic writing; carries a biblical, world-weary tone.
Slang for money, implying something hard-won and immediately useful.
“She needed scratch fast, so she sold the guitar she'd had since college.”
Best for: Best in gritty, street-level dialogue or noir fiction; punchy and unpretentious.
Accumulated wealth or financial assets, especially when deployed with purpose.
“He moved through the room redistributing capital like a man playing chess.”
Best for: Elevated business, political, or philosophical writing; implies power and strategy.
Money or wealth, especially when acquired dishonestly or considered contemptible.
“The councillors squabbled over pelf while the roads crumbled beneath them.”
Best for: Archaic and pointed; ideal for satirical or historical prose with a sharp moral edge.
The financial means or resources necessary to accomplish something.
“She finally had the wherewithal to leave the city and start over somewhere quiet.”
Best for: Slightly formal but warm; suits literary fiction and personal essays about ambition or freedom.
Dated British slang for ready cash or money on hand.
“He claimed he was flush with rhino, but his coat told a different story.”
Best for: Period dialogue, Victorian-era fiction, or playful historical pastiche; charmingly obscure.
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