as in tools
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 pledges
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 mortgages
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 pawns
Kevin Fixler
may 3, Idaho Statesman, 3 May 2026
Most people don’t think children should be pawns in any politician’s culture war.
—Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
Most people don’t think children should be pawns in any politician’s culture war.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
The costume is meant to reflect the pawns in a game of chess.
—Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 23 Apr. 2026
According to The Guardian, three military family advocacy organizations reported that the Marines felt like political pawns.
—Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2026
But, in the slammers investigation, nearly all the people being prosecuted were pawns—passengers who’d agreed to ride in cars.
—Patrick Radden Keefe, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
Privatized airports avoided long shutdown waits Privatizing airport security, some in the business argue, makes airport workers and travelers less vulnerable to becoming pawns in congressional fights over policy issues.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026
His desire to cross pawns again.
—Ashlee Conour, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
Making the lives of Idahoans affordable, fixing healthcare, helping farmers produce affordable food and still make a living, saving our public lands and national forest for future generations, and making sure vets, servicemen and women and seniors are not used as pawns in political games.
—Kevin Fixler
may 3, Idaho Statesman, 3 May 2026
Most people don’t think children should be pawns in any politician’s culture war.
—Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
Most people don’t think children should be pawns in any politician’s culture war.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
The costume is meant to reflect the pawns in a game of chess.
—Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 23 Apr. 2026
According to The Guardian, three military family advocacy organizations reported that the Marines felt like political pawns.
—Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2026
But, in the slammers investigation, nearly all the people being prosecuted were pawns—passengers who’d agreed to ride in cars.
—Patrick Radden Keefe, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
Privatized airports avoided long shutdown waits Privatizing airport security, some in the business argue, makes airport workers and travelers less vulnerable to becoming pawns in congressional fights over policy issues.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026
His desire to cross pawns again.
—Ashlee Conour, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pawns
Noun
-
Police found his backpack with various tools.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
-
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
People are planting trees, businesses are making pledges, and communities around the world are looking for ways to reduce their environmental footprint.—
Sammy Duda,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 May 2026
-
Many other pledges have poured in from philanthropists and corporate America, potentially expanding the program’s reach.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Those are the players in recent memory who’ve commanded the kind of draft capital that reshapes franchises — the sort of seismic move that mortgages a future and, in return, attaches expectations normally reserved for franchise-carrying superstars.—
Kristian Winfield,
Hartford Courant,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Your president and his minions spread war, chaos, lies and economic instability.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
There’s a steadiness to Tung/Wonder Woman that stands out for its quiet authority in a frequently goofy landscape peppered with poisonous robes and finger-eating minions.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
European film professionals want guarantees that funding for cinema is locked into the AgoraEU budget, and not diverted to other projects or industries.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
8 May 2026
-
At this point, those agitating against the merger might see their most realistic option being to lobby for conditions on the merger, such as job-protection guarantees or production minimums.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
The technology deposits conductive and dielectric inks simultaneously, producing integrated 3D electronic structures with micro-scale precision.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
-
In less than 10 minutes, a wooden bridge deposits us on the doorstep of a cinematic landscape that unfurls into a seemingly endless patchwork of rolling hills and glens in hues of umber, cinnamon, and ochre, flanked by mountains standing sentinel on either side.—
Jen Murphy,
Robb Report,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Both would essentially be puppets of whatever the teachers unions want.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The musical has been acclaimed for its visual spectacle and its clever use of puppets.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
According to a securities filing, Corning granted Nvidia warrants to purchase up to 3 million shares — at an exercise price of fractions of a penny — for a total of $500 million.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
6 May 2026
-
In 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission sued him for allegedly violating securities law.—
Ben Weiss,
Fortune,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pawns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pawns. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
