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
Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 17 Dec. 2025
These items were later recovered by deputies at a local pawn shop where Smith had sold them for cash.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 16 Dec. 2025
Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
The two were involved for several months, but after Aileen pawned a belonging from one of her victims, police began to investigate both Wuornos and Moore in the murders.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pawn
Noun
And a jeweler or pawn shop must hold onto the item for at least nine days in Michigan before being able to sell it or melt it down.
—Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 17 Dec. 2025
These items were later recovered by deputies at a local pawn shop where Smith had sold them for cash.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 16 Dec. 2025
Verb
Wuornos pawned Carskaddon's gun, per court records reviewed by PEOPLE.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
The two were involved for several months, but after Aileen pawned a belonging from one of her victims, police began to investigate both Wuornos and Moore in the murders.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pawn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pawn
Verb
-
Schwering said one man lost $900,000, all deposited into the shadowy crypto ATM at the corner.—
Kevin Williams,
CNBC,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Some will pay via the form of gift cards, while others will pay you with funds deposited into your bank account.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The page gave a deep snort, hocking a chartreuse wad against the root of the nightingale’s birch.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
19 Nov. 2025
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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
Verb
-
Second and third mortgaging the house.—
David K. Li,
NBC news,
30 Dec. 2025
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Still, the government has been touting recovery efforts, from the quick reopening of Montego Bay International Airport and major cruise ports, to public-private partnerships to help tourism workers get materials to rebuild their homes to mortgage relief for Jamaicans affected by the storm.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
16 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pawn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pawn. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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