Synonyms of pawn

pawn 1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈpȯn 

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

• tool
• minion
• victim
• puppet
• sucker
• instrument
• cat's-paw
• lay figure
• chump
• foil
• dupe
• gull
• stooge
• lapdog
• yes-man

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pledge
• guarantee
• security
• gage
• promise
• deposit
• guaranty
• assurance
• bail
• bond
• down payment
• contract
• oath
• earnest
• handsel
• surety
• warranty
• commitment
• compact
• covenant
• word
• recognizance
• troth

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deposit
• hock
• mortgage
• pledge
• bond

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• buy (back)
• win (back)
• redeem

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of pawn

Noun

Personnel is what’s important, but Scaloni treats his players as people, not as pawns on a chessboard. — James Horncastle, New York Times, 14 July 2026

Don’t be a pawn for another photo op for this dysfunctional White House. — Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026

Verb

After being blackballed from the finance sector, Coop resorts to burglarizing the homes of those in his social circle and pawning the items to stay afloat. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026

Burglarizing the homes of those in his social circle and pawning the items just to stay afloat. — Ryan Brennan april 1, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026