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
Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 28 Apr. 2026
But enough about Breslow, who in the end is just another Henry pawn, positioned to take the next fall.
—Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
In fact, jewelry remains the most frequently sold and pawned categories, according to a Canaccord survey of several EZCorp and FirstCash locations.
—Itzel Franco, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pawn
Noun
Officers found the missing pieces at a local pawn shop and learned that Janes had sold them.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 28 Apr. 2026
But enough about Breslow, who in the end is just another Henry pawn, positioned to take the next fall.
—Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
Others pawned jewelry to help pay their bills.
—Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
In fact, jewelry remains the most frequently sold and pawned categories, according to a Canaccord survey of several EZCorp and FirstCash locations.
—Itzel Franco, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pawn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pawn
Verb
-
The letter mentions there is a problem with depositing your money into your bank and asks you for your account number.—
Michael Butler,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The hoard was deposited around 1047, the release said.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The page gave a deep snort, hocking a chartreuse wad against the root of the nightingale’s birch.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
19 Nov. 2025
-
Shein is far from the first online retailer to run into trouble with third-party vendors hocking controversial wares or flouting policy standards.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Stop mortgaging our future for vanity projects.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
After going a combined 3-of-15 from 3-point range in Games 1 and 2, the player the Magic mortgaged four first-round picks for had yet to justify that investment in this series.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pawn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pawn. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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