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.
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Recent Examples of pawns
Judy Berman, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
Stop using veterans as pawns & reopen the government.
—Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
There’s a common refrain that the troops are being used as pawns.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
My values include the beliefs that all of our students should feel safe, respected, and valued in our schools, that decisions should be made on the best available evidence and data, that our kids are not political pawns, that inclusion creates opportunity, and that schools shouldn’t ban books.
—Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Oct. 2025
Remember the big picture, people, and stop using taxpayers as pawns, or worse yet, collateral damage.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 15 Oct. 2025
The pawns loans are typically pretty small, in the range of $200, Jugmans said.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
Missing pawns, cracked hourglass timers, and flimsy boxes have a way of sneaking up on you.
—Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2025
We’re being used as pawns in a much bigger chess game here.
—Demetrius Patterson, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
The others are just underwritten pawns in a contrived mystery.
—Judy Berman, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
Stop using veterans as pawns & reopen the government.
—Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
There’s a common refrain that the troops are being used as pawns.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
My values include the beliefs that all of our students should feel safe, respected, and valued in our schools, that decisions should be made on the best available evidence and data, that our kids are not political pawns, that inclusion creates opportunity, and that schools shouldn’t ban books.
—Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Oct. 2025
Remember the big picture, people, and stop using taxpayers as pawns, or worse yet, collateral damage.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 15 Oct. 2025
The pawns loans are typically pretty small, in the range of $200, Jugmans said.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
Missing pawns, cracked hourglass timers, and flimsy boxes have a way of sneaking up on you.
—Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2025
We’re being used as pawns in a much bigger chess game here.
—Demetrius Patterson, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pawns
deposits
Verb
-
When and How To Clean Up Leaves Don't panic if a rainstorm deposits a layer of wet leaves on your lawn.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
30 Oct. 2025
-
In slow movements, each gunmetal gray robot grabs a towel by its corners, flattens it out, folds it twice, and deposits it into the basket.—
Billy Perrigo,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pawns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pawns. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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