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
Melonee Hurt, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
In running against him, Mamdani is expected to paint Adams as a pawn to Trump in a city where the Republican president is deeply unpopular.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 26 June 2025
Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 22 May 2025
In lieu of a thank-you, Michael waits until his benefactor’s guard is down, assaults him, then steals his watch and pawns it.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pawn
Noun
The guitar would later turn up in a Las Vegas pawn shop.
—Melonee Hurt, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
In running against him, Mamdani is expected to paint Adams as a pawn to Trump in a city where the Republican president is deeply unpopular.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 26 June 2025
Verb
Firms are also shirking responsibility for duties and seeking to pawn tariff costs off on suppliers.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 22 May 2025
In lieu of a thank-you, Michael waits until his benefactor’s guard is down, assaults him, then steals his watch and pawns it.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pawn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pawn
Verb
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Other elements include depositing only 75% of participants’ pension contributions into DROP accounts and capping cost-of-living adjustments for money going into the account.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 July 2025
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The government will deposit an initial $1,000 into the accounts and parents can contribute to $5,000 a year in post-tax dollars.—
Kamaron McNair,
CNBC,
11 July 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 29 Jul. 2025.
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