pawn 1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈpȯn How to pronounce pawn (audio)
Definition of pawnnext
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

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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

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

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
Noun
As Melinda points out later, Flora is a pawn of Carla’s and Morgan’s in every respect. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026 The development comes after Klitschko, a former boxer, filed a supplement this week to his September guardianship petition, claiming a non-family member had sold some of Panettiere's possessions, including jewelry, to a pawn shop. — ABC News, 9 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 — Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 3 June 2026 If a helmet is too outdated for your family to use, don't pawn it off on someone else.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 See All Example Sentences for pawn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pawn
  1. tool
  2. pledge
  3. deposit
  4. minion
  5. guarantee
  6. hock
  7. victim
  8. security
Noun
  • Unions can also be powerful tools for combating racial pay discrimination; the new report shows tripling union membership would narrow the racial wage gap by more than a third.
    — Liz Shuler, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Together, the tools could help accelerate the development of more resilient electric motor systems while reducing the risks associated with critical material shortages, volatile supply chains and rapidly changing global markets.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of tool
Noun
  • Several of Flávio Bolsonaro’s proposals also warrant close scrutiny, including his pledge to rewrite Brazil’s 1988 Constitution, which marked the end of military dictatorship and the restoration of democracy in the country.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The messaging also seemed coordinated, with official statements followed by a flood of pledges of allegiance on social media.
    — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of pledge
Verb
  • For example, deposit $100, the sportsbook matches $100 in bonus funds.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • According to Citizens, qualifying deposits include recurring income electronically deposited through paychecks, Social Security payments, pensions and other regular income.
    — Dan Avery, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of deposit
Noun
  • There are references to demons, being burned alive, and the duende king explicitly commands his minions to kill Jo and Raissa.
    — Parents, Parents, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Musashi becomes part of a crew that fights the Genma and Yoshitsune’s minions.
    — Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of minion
Noun
  • Holding an election during the war would be unlawful and Ukraine would need security guarantees to allow for safe voting, Zelenskyy added.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Zelensky added that holding a vote during the war would be unlawful and that Ukraine would need security guarantees to allow people to vote safely.
    — Susie Blann, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of guarantee
Verb
  • So too are editor Pauline Gaillard’s sharp cuts, which are often timed exactly to coincide with the moment that someone lost in faraway thought finishes swirling their mouthful of Pinot Noir and hocks it unceremoniously into a nearby receptacle.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The page gave a deep snort, hocking a chartreuse wad against the root of the nightingale’s birch.
    — Hazlitt, Hazlitt, 19 Nov. 2025
Definition of hock
Noun
  • In delivering her victim impact statement, Collins’ mother said their family can’t look at a bathtub without thinking of what happened.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The entry is paired with a suite of portraits of a number of Black men and women wearing MooreWraps, versatile multi-wear garments created by Moore’s sister with proceeds donated to victims of domestic violence and incarceration.
    — Stephanie Wambugu, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of victim
Noun
  • In January, the FBI raided a Post reporter’s home, as part of an investigation into a government contractor accused of mishandling sensitive national security information.
    — Chad de Guzman, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Key members of the party have put forward energy security plans that include a role for oil and gas.
    — Maydeen Merino, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of security

Browse Nearby Words

pawky
pawn
pawned
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pawn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pawn. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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