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
Eddie Mouradian, Vulture, 11 June 2025
Presidents have historically drawn criticism when they have been seen as using the military as a political pawn.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 10 June 2025
William Morris, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
One accused him of illegally pawning luxury watches given to him by Middle Eastern governments.
—Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pawn
Noun
Danielle, poor damaged Danielle, couldn’t see she was being used as a pawn in Teresa’s ongoing game to retain control of the show.
—Eddie Mouradian, Vulture, 11 June 2025
Presidents have historically drawn criticism when they have been seen as using the military as a political pawn.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 10 June 2025
Verb
Investigators also learned that a friend of Johnson's had pawned a handgun for him.
—William Morris, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
One accused him of illegally pawning luxury watches given to him by Middle Eastern governments.
—Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pawn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pawn
Verb
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Bowden-Renna said some of the historic deposits found within SDG&E’s 4,100-square-mile service territory, including San Diego County, southern Orange County and a portion of Imperial Valley, were deposited by the Luiseno and Kumeyaay tribes.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 June 2025
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The bill would deposit $300 million in the state’s film incentive fund every two years for the next decade, adding up to $1.5 billion total.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 June 2025
Verb
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Despite the league’s highest payroll and having already hocked any draft pick that wasn’t nailed down (some of them more than once), the Suns fell 15-18 on the season.—
John Hollinger,
The Athletic,
6 Jan. 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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Scouting in stealth: Heat scouring for success (if) at No. 20 in NBA draft ASK IRA: Is practicing prudence essential in Heat not mortgaging future in a Durant deal?—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
19 June 2025
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This means the liquid assets already mortgaged to mostly European actors remain intact, while the physical assets in areas such as agriculture, energy, telecommunications, etc... that are still intact will stay with their previous owners.—
Wesley Alexander Hill,
Forbes.com,
7 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pawn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pawn. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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