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
Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
With eviction looming by their landlord’s 6 p.m. deadline, these two embark upon a manic ride to come up with cash, with simple errands turning into shady pawn shop dealings, impromptu blood donations and sneaker hustles (with surprise celebrity encounters sprinkling their affairs).
—Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Brian Moylan, Vulture, 26 June 2025
To many of the nation’s outdoorsmen and women, disposing of federal land is seen as something akin to pawning a family heirloom to pay a bank overdraft.
—Chris Dorsey, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pawn
Noun
China has called on the Philippines to return to bilateral dialogue and accused Manila of acting as a pawn in U.S. efforts to contain its rise.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
With eviction looming by their landlord’s 6 p.m. deadline, these two embark upon a manic ride to come up with cash, with simple errands turning into shady pawn shop dealings, impromptu blood donations and sneaker hustles (with surprise celebrity encounters sprinkling their affairs).
—Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Verb
The center of the Miami action is Alexia’s maybe divorce from Todd, a fake Rolex Rudy Giuliani tried to pawn to pay his legal bills.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 26 June 2025
To many of the nation’s outdoorsmen and women, disposing of federal land is seen as something akin to pawning a family heirloom to pay a bank overdraft.
—Chris Dorsey, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pawn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pawn
Verb
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Bidders also must deposit $10 million in escrow to enter the auction.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Aug. 2025
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Of those, $14.5 billion was deposited in bank accounts or GAESA’s own financial institutions.—
Nora Gamez Torres,
Miami Herald,
6 Aug. 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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As often as the home would appear in one of Cassavetes and Rowlands’ films, it would be mortgaged to free up funds to make another one.—
Scott Feinberg,
HollywoodReporter,
9 July 2025
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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,
20 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pawn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pawn. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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