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

Youth used as pawns, BJP says The cockroach movement has emerged as one of the biggest political challenges faced by Modi and his BJP in his 12 years in power. — CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026

Career public servants are people, not pawns, and no one who has devoted their life to serving the American public should have their good name destroyed for partisan, political gain. — Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 13 Oct. 2026

Verb

There were 46 items in the safe, some of which Kisakye allegedly pawned and sold to feed a substantial gambling habit. — Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 3 June 2026

If a helmet is too outdated for your family to use, don't pawn it off on someone else. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2026