pawn 1 of 3

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

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pawn

2 of 3

noun (2)

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

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pawn

3 of 3

verb

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

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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 pawn
Noun
His congressional pawns could have passed a law outlawing ridicule of the president. Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025 However, Grace begins to unravel an intricate conspiracy that points to Jasmine being a pawn in a much larger scheme. Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 14 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
  • The commission reports the use of the ATMs by scammers, who urge consumers to deposit cash into them to protect their savings, is on the rise.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Herman had his clients’ settlement funds deposited into his trust account, as is standard, then never turned over the money to his clients.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Pawn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pawn. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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