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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pawn
Kaitlyn Huamani, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
The agency has sued companies for persuading veterans to sell their pension and disability payments, for charging military families more than thirty-six per cent interest on pawn loans, and for misleading servicemembers to take costly cash-out refinance loans on their homes.
—E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2025
Alex Andrejev, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
To the show’s not-really-defense, it’s never taken a strong stance on Jimmy’s new approach, which followed a year of catatonia, debauchery and pawning his teenage daughter Alice (Lukita Maxwell) off on their neighbor Liz (Christa Miller) to surrogate parent.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 16 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pawn
Noun
Officials did not name the auction house or the pawn shop.
—Kaitlyn Huamani, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
The agency has sued companies for persuading veterans to sell their pension and disability payments, for charging military families more than thirty-six per cent interest on pawn loans, and for misleading servicemembers to take costly cash-out refinance loans on their homes.
—E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2025
Verb
Almeida, Denn and Eric Tyrrell, then a coworker of Almeida’s who had tried to pawn the coins, were ultimately arrested and indicted in Norfolk County Superior Court.
—Alex Andrejev, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
To the show’s not-really-defense, it’s never taken a strong stance on Jimmy’s new approach, which followed a year of catatonia, debauchery and pawning his teenage daughter Alice (Lukita Maxwell) off on their neighbor Liz (Christa Miller) to surrogate parent.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 16 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pawn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pawn
Verb
-
In Oregon, people can sign up for accounts in which their refunds are deposited or choose cash redemptions.—
Claire Rush,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2025
-
The funds were deposited with La Liga, and by the time Atleti were made aware of Arsenal’s intent, Partey was virtually an Arsenal player.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
And in both countries, younger generations are increasingly aware that those in power are willing to mortgage their futures.—
Zongyuan Zoe Liu,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pawn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pawn. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share