What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
stooge
Example
He was just a stooge for the real mastermind behind the scheme. [stooge: noun]
Example
She felt like a stooge, always doing what others wanted her to do. [stooge: adjective]
Example
The comedian's stooge played the straight man to his hilarious antics. [stooge: noun]
pawn
Example
He was just a pawn in the political game, used by those in power to further their own agendas. [pawn: noun]
Example
She felt like a pawn, unable to make her own decisions and constantly being pushed around. [pawn: noun]
Example
The player sacrificed his pawn to protect his queen from capture. [pawn: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pawn is more commonly used than stooge in everyday language. Pawn has a broader range of contexts and can be used in various situations where someone is being used or exploited. Stooge, on the other hand, is more specific to the world of comedy and is less commonly used outside of that context.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between stooge and pawn?
Both stooge and pawn are informal words and are not typically used in formal contexts.
