pawn 1 of 3

Definition of pawnnext
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

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pawn

2 of 3

noun (2)

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

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pawn

3 of 3

verb

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

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of pawn
Noun
Gulf governments, meanwhile, have dabbled abroad as well, while trying to address grievances among their own Shia populations to prevent them from becoming pawns of Tehran. Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 15 June 2026 Authorities raided the pawn shop on Monday. Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026
Verb
After being blackballed from the finance sector, Coop resorts to burglarizing the homes of those in his social circle and pawning the items to stay afloat. Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026 Burglarizing the homes of those in his social circle and pawning the items just to stay afloat. Ryan Brennan april 1, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pawn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pawn
Noun
  • The handle of the FieldSpork incorporates two fold-out tools.
    Ben Coxworth July 04, New Atlas, 5 July 2026
  • The tools now entering those classrooms are more powerful and far less accountable than anyone writing that legislation could have imagined.
    Masha Pearl, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2026
Noun
  • But its Defense Investment Plan has been repeatedly delayed as military leaders and Treasury officials wrangled over the cost, and critics said its pledge of a 15-billion-pound ($20-billion) boost to defense spending won’t be enough.
    Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
  • Continue reading … POLICY PIVOT — Schools quietly remove gender identity pledge from LGBTQ training.
    , FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • According to Ceconi, these products don’t actually soften, but instead deposit a waxy coating on the fabric.
    Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 30 June 2026
  • He’s transported to a realm of Tolkienesque fantasy, deposited somewhere between the Stony Waste and the Frozen Sea.
    Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • Zoey Deutch wears minion yellow to the Los Angeles premiere of Minions & Monsters on June 28.
    Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026
  • And minions have taken over Wendy’s frosty machines with a new banana flavor.
    Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • Under Proposition 98, approved by voters in 1988, California has a minimum funding guarantee for schools and community colleges and dedicates roughly 40% of general fund revenue to education.
    Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
  • Once a newly public company has an influx of cash from the IPO, there is no guarantee that the company will spend it wisely.
    Cicely Jones, Forbes.com, 29 June 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
Noun
  • The families of the victims said the pain is still as raw to this day.
    Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 2 July 2026
  • Most of the victims lived nearby, and funeral prayers were expected later Tuesday.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • Video from the Reuters news agency showed security personnel patrolling the streets of Tehran ahead of funeral processions, which are expected to take place at multiple locations in Iran and Iraq.
    Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
  • On one hand, the arena offers a level of privacy and security few locations can match.
    Bryan West, USA Today, 4 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Pawn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pawn. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

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