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
Kaila Yu, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
The organization is treating these athletes as political pawns instead of as young people with their own families, goals, futures and careers to think about.
—Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
Gabriella Ybarra, San Antonio Express-News, 26 Mar. 2026
Others pawned jewelry to help pay their bills.
—Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pawn
Noun
Pawn Shop Set inside the former Collateral pawn shop on Melrose, this summer opening reimagines a longtime family run neighborhood fixture as a 7,800-square-foot sports-viewing hub.
—Kaila Yu, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
The organization is treating these athletes as political pawns instead of as young people with their own families, goals, futures and careers to think about.
—Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
Verb
Testimony established that Garcia pawned the rings at a Cash America Pawn Shop and received $300.
—Gabriella Ybarra, San Antonio Express-News, 26 Mar. 2026
Others pawned jewelry to help pay their bills.
—Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pawn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pawn
Noun
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And a health system’s ability to schedule surgeries is gated not just by the availability of doctors and nurses, but also by its ability to maintain a constant flow of clean, reusable medical tools to its operating rooms.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2026
-
Josh Mattison, executive vice president of digital revenue pricing, planning and operations at Disney, who reports to Ferro, said in an interview that Ferro made a point to learn the ins and outs of the digital tools at Disney’s disposal.—
Lillian Rizzo,
CNBC,
31 May 2026
Noun
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To start the game, Boyd fell behind when London’s Aiden Salinas hit a solo home run off junior starting pitcher William McIntire, a Texas A&M pledge.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 June 2026
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The Texas pledge is part of a larger $17 million investment to support new projects advancing Google's water stewardship goals in Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska.—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Verb
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Generally, the pre-tax money that’s deposited in traditional IRAs cannot be withdrawn before age 59½ without paying a 10% early-withdrawal tax penalty, unless an exception is met.—
Sarah Agostino,
CNBC,
29 May 2026
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The findings suggest Mercury's ice was deposited rapidly rather than supplied gradually over long periods of time — a scenario that also helps explain the apparent purity of the ice deposits, the study notes.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
28 May 2026
Noun
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Aniello, who directed both bookend episodes, replicates her own long, dynamic shot from the series premiere, which tracks Deborah from the closing joke of her zillionth Vegas set, through a backstage warren of minions and admirers, to her dressing room.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
29 May 2026
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Your president and his minions spread war, chaos, lies and economic instability.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The 49ers then voided the guarantees in Aiyuk’s contact last summer, which Aiyuk elected not to fight with a grievance through the NFL Players Association.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2026
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Supporters said the additional revenue would help fund city services, while opponents argued the increase could hurt tourism and hospitality businesses and provide no guarantees about how the money would ultimately be spent.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
3 June 2026
Verb
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One borrower who manages a large hedge fund hocked his wife’s eight-carat diamond ring—worth upwards of $600,000—after receiving a large margin call (the loan was eventually repaid and the ring was returned.—
Sergei Klebnikov,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The page gave a deep snort, hocking a chartreuse wad against the root of the nightingale’s birch.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
19 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Newsom’s office said Thursday that the state is providing assistance to victims, family members and witnesses of the mosque shooting.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
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The bodies of two people were found earlier this week, before crews recovered the remains of another six victims on Thursday, May 28, Longview fire chief Brad Hannig said in a press conference later that day.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
Noun
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Mejia noted that private security is being coordinated by sororities for their facilities and that UCLA intends to continue working with the community to support safety along Hilgard Avenue and across campus.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
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The following year, in one of the most notorious incidents of the war, Naxals killed 76 members of the security forces in an ambush in Chhattisgarh.—
Dhruv Tikekar,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pawn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pawn. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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