cat's-paw

noun

ˈkats-ˌpȯ How to pronounce cat's-paw (audio)
Definition of cat's-pawnext
as in pawn
one that is or can be used to further the purposes of another these changes to the zoning laws have only confirmed for many that the town council has become the cat's-paw of local real estate developers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cat's-paw
  1. pawn
  2. tool
Noun
  • The Wolf King series will see Aurora, after being abducted from a world that treated her as a decorative pawn, uncovering her own wild strength in the sweeping romantasy.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 25 June 2026
  • The gang stole pricey items worth millions altogether, and Spilotro opened a pawn shop called the Gold Rush to fence the goods, the Mob Museum reported.
    — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 23 June 2026
Definition of pawn
Noun
  • He had been bothered by a hamate injury but offers some impressive tools.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 12 July 2026
  • The measure aims to prevent businesses from offering different prices for shoppers based on personal information that is collected using tracking technology or other surveillance electronic tools, unless the businesses follow certain rules.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2026
Definition of tool
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.

Browse Nearby Words

cat's meow
cat's-paw
cat's-paws
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Cite this Entry

“Cat's-paw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cat%27s-paw. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cat's-paw

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cat's-paw

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