cat's-paw

noun

ˈkats-ˌpȯ How to pronounce cat's-paw (audio)
Definition of cat's-pawnext
as in pawn
one that is or can be used to further the purposes of another these changes to the zoning laws have only confirmed for many that the town council has become the cat's-paw of local real estate developers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cat's-paw
  1. pawn
  2. tool
Noun
  • He was previously sent to death row in 2006, related to the robbery and murder of a pawn shop owner in Fort Lauderdale.
    — News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Nov. 2026
  • Here, a tense scene plays out in this preview as Cora undergoes an intense police station screening while being used as a resistance pawn to help take back the city from usurping androids.
    — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of pawn
Noun
  • The Role of Modern Technology Over the past several decades, the international capabilities of companies like Agallas Equities have been expanded by the evolution of technological tools.
    — William Jones, Miami Herald, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Behavioral demand response and peak-time rebates are becoming important tools for managing electricity consumption.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of tool
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.

Browse Nearby Words

cat's meow
cat's-paw
cat's-paws
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Cite this Entry

“Cat's-paw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cat%27s-paw. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cat's-paw

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