sinecure
Pay without labor
A sinecure is a position that provides payment or prestige with little or no actual work required.
The term originally described church offices without pastoral duties—benefices without the "cure of souls." Now it applies to any cushy appointment: The ambassadorship was a sinecure for a major campaign donor.
The word carries a whiff of criticism, implying someone is being paid for nothing.
Undemanding and pleasant
- undemandingRequiring minimal effort
- leisurelyDone without urgency
- easyRequiring minimal effort
- breezyMildly windy, or nonchalant
laid-back · relaxed · light · carefree · stress-free · unexacting · soft · cozy
Supporter's financial backing
- nepotismPreferring kin in hiring
- cronyismFavoring friends in appointments
- favoritismPreferential treatment of some
- entitlementAssumed right to benefits
elite · noncompetitive · tenure · inheritance · vested · featherbed · spoils · insider
Supporter's financial backing
- appointeePerson named to position
- beneficiaryDesignated asset receiver
- titularIn title only
- ceremonialRelating to formal rites
honorary · figurehead · plum · prestige · dignitary · decorative · pensioner · incumbent
Fixed regular payment
- emolumentPayment for work
- salaryFixed periodic employment payment
- pensionRetiree's ongoing benefit
- annuityPeriodic fixed payment
remuneration · compensation · honorarium · retainer · allowance · paycheck · earnings · benefits
Benefit beyond salary
- fringeOutermost edge or margin
- bonusReward beyond expectation
- gratuityPayment beyond the bill
- privilegeExclusive right or benefit
amenity · luxury · extra · reward · premium · boon · sweetener · kickback
Fraudulent imitation
- simonyBuying church positions
- cronyismFavoring friends in appointments
- graftIllicit political gain
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
payoff · sweetheart · kickback · palm-greasing · backroom
cushy
Undemanding and pleasant
- undemandingRequiring minimal effort
- leisurelyDone without urgency
- easyRequiring minimal effort
breezy · laid-back · relaxed · light · carefree · stress-free · unexacting · soft · cozy · comfortable
patronage
Supporter's financial backing
- nepotismPreferring kin in hiring
- cronyismFavoring friends in appointments
- favoritismPreferential treatment of some
entitlement · elite · noncompetitive · tenure · inheritance · vested · featherbed · spoils · insider · connected
patronage
Supporter's financial backing
- appointeePerson named to position
- beneficiaryDesignated asset receiver
- titularIn title only
ceremonial · honorary · figurehead · plum · prestige · dignitary · decorative · pensioner · incumbent · placeholder
stipend
Fixed regular payment
annuity · remuneration · compensation · honorarium · retainer · allowance · paycheck · earnings · benefits · payout
perquisite
Benefit beyond salary
privilege · amenity · luxury · extra · reward · premium · boon · sweetener · kickback
sham
Fraudulent imitation
bribery · payoff · sweetheart · kickback · palm-greasing · backroom
- beneficesliving, rectory, vicarage, curacy, incumbency
- bureaucracybureaucracy, bureaucrat, bureaucrats, red tape, civil service
- feudalismfief, vassal, fealty, homage, lord
- arts patronagepatron, patronage, sponsors, benefactor, benefactors
- church propertychurch building, abbey, rectory, manse, glebe
- patronagepolitical patronage, patrons, benefactors, sponsors, donors