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
One of the movers, later identified as 32-year-old Makale Winfield, stole three rings and sold them to a Phoenix pawn shop, which is about a 15-mile drive southwest from Paradise Valley, officers said. Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2025 Rick Harrison's popular Las Vegas pawn shop displays rare finds and historical artifacts, attracting 1,200 daily visitors. Staff, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
McGriff, who was spotted in the Bronx earlier Tuesday trying to pawn a pair of cell phones, is now being sought by the NYPD and the regional Fugitive Task Force, Tisch said. Mark Morales, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025 Claims of copying creative works, inventions, or ownership, including unauthorized use, reproduction, or pawned or trademarked material. Edward Segal, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pawn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pawn
Verb
  • Several companies, mostly armored carrier companies, operate coin terminals where banks can withdraw and deposit coins.
    Ken Sweet, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
  • When and How To Clean Up Leaves Don't panic if a rainstorm deposits a layer of wet leaves on your lawn.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 30 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
  • In order to secure the loan, Chapman mortgaged the property with her brother Edward Chapman, who is also CEO of Marchesa.
    Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
  • All of those general managers, at one point or another, mortgaged the future for the present.
    Josh Yohe, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pawn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pawn. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.

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