as in tool
one that is or can be used to further the purposes of another
though he liked to play up his influence with city hall, he was really just another pawn of the political bosses
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in pledge
something given or held to assure that the giver will keep a promise
offered her license as a pawn that she would bring back the rental canoe
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to deposit
to leave as a guarantee of repayment of a loan
he pawned his antique watch in order to pay off his gambling debt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pawn
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2025
We’re being used as pawns in a much bigger chess game here.
—Demetrius Patterson, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
Edward Segal, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2025
To help with their dissatisfaction from their day job as housekeepers at a hotel and to help pay the bills, the duo spend their weekends crashing wealthy weddings and stealing the gifts to pawn.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pawn
Noun
Missing pawns, cracked hourglass timers, and flimsy boxes have a way of sneaking up on you.
—Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2025
We’re being used as pawns in a much bigger chess game here.
—Demetrius Patterson, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
Claims of copying creative works, inventions, or ownership, including unauthorized use, reproduction, or pawned or trademarked material.
—Edward Segal, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2025
To help with their dissatisfaction from their day job as housekeepers at a hotel and to help pay the bills, the duo spend their weekends crashing wealthy weddings and stealing the gifts to pawn.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pawn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pawn
Verb
-
So, that unknown plant growing in your yard could’ve hitched a ride on your clothes or shoes, been deposited by a bird, or blown in with the wind.—
Markis Hill,
Kansas City Star,
26 Sep. 2025
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The Ronald McDonald House Board did not give anyone permission to withdraw money from the account and deposit it into a PayPal account.—
Karen Madden,
USA Today,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Shein is far from the first online retailer to run into trouble with third-party vendors hocking controversial wares or flouting policy standards.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
3 Sep. 2025
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Conversely, Soto was like the guy who hocks his wedding ring before the separation agreement is signed.—
Greg Marotta,
New York Daily News,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Since the market decline in the last few years, many developers have not had the cash to finish building the homes that many households have already mortgaged.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
31 Aug. 2025
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Singh originally entered the U.S. illegally in 2018 after mortgaging his land in India, was detained by Border Patrol, and released on $5,000 bond, the New York Post reported.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pawn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pawn. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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