pawn
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.
See Examples For:
Once South Africa ceased to be a Cold War pawn, the economic costs of sanctions imposed by countries across the globe broke the government’s resistance.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 12, 2026
“In those three months, pawn loan demand is usually depressed, because that’s when people start getting tax refunds,” said Kyle Joseph, an analyst at financial services firm Stephens.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 6, 2026
Steve Buscemi and Giancarlo Esposito have supporting turns as, respectively, a pawn shop owner and a cop, and joined Turturro onstage where the super-group of Sundance veterans spoke of their personal affection for Robert Redford.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 30, 2026
They may turn to pawn transactions and other informal borrowing arrangements.
From Barron's ● Jan. 13, 2026
After an exchange of pieces, he emerged with a pawn ahead in an endgame that looked as though it would lead to a draw.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
But many American farmers are still feeling like pawns.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 7, 2025
Come Nov. 1, they still will be pawns, but hungrier.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2025
"Regardless of what they were convicted of and what they did, they're still being used as pawns in a dystopian game exchanging bodies for money," David told AFP.
From Barron's ● Oct. 10, 2025
She accused her ex-partner of using the children as "pawns in his game".
From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2024
He’d come to Moscow to play chess, to cross pawns with a serious Russian tournament player.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
To cover the down payment on the small shop, they pawned Rose’s $400 engagement ring.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 3, 2024
It was named for Barney Pressman, who in 1923 pawned his wife’s ring, at her encouragement, for $500 to buy the lease of a small store on Seventh Avenue and 17th Street in Manhattan.
From New York Times ● Apr. 22, 2024
Migrants pawned their jewelry to pay for passage or brought their treasure to new lands.
From National Geographic ● Jan. 11, 2024
On 2 September, she pawned three of his rings for £200, the court heard.
From BBC ● Nov. 7, 2023
The terrified mother pawned the cornet immediately and destroyed the pawn ticket.
From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith
She’s hoping to avoid pawning something or paying a bill late.
From Slate ● Apr. 19, 2026
Geoffrey Simmons began pawning his items six years ago "just to fill the freezer".
From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2023
His path to the death chamber began in 1999 when, as an 18-year-old, he was jailed on a misdemeanor charge of pawning a rented stereo system.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 5, 2023
There was no sudden rock bottom for me; no car wreck or flash of awakening after pawning a family member's jewelry.
From Salon ● Sep. 4, 2021
Nathan wondered how many people had been in their same position, pawning everything they had to make ends meet.
From "Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young
Vocabulary lists containing pawn
Check It Out, Mate: Chess Vocabulary
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
They Both Die at the End
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Mockingjay
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
