pawn
verb (used with object)
to deposit as security, as for money borrowed, especially with a pawnbroker.
pawns
-
present tense formof pawn (3rd person singular).present tense
Used to describe things happening now or regularly.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Our job is to educate those people about how they’re being pushed around like pawns.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 24, 2026
But they insisted, as did their clients, that they were unwitting pawns, proxies – one might even say "drones" – in a shadow war against the West.
From BBC ● Oct. 31, 2025
Come Nov. 1, they still will be pawns, but hungrier.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2025
For the next several hours, Nick and Honey serve as unwitting pawns in the older couple’s clever, but vicious, mind games.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2025
“Oh I suppose not,” she sighed, and she sat down to watch their chess match, which culminated in an exciting checkmate of Ron’s, involving a couple of recklessly brave pawns and a very violent bishop.
From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling
