puppet

noun

pup·​pet ˈpə-pət 

often attributive

1

a

: a small-scale figure (as of a person or animal) usually with a cloth body and hollow head that fits over and is moved by the hand

b

: marionette

2

: doll sense 1

3

: one whose acts are controlled by an outside force or influence

a puppet ruler

puppetlike

ˈpə-pət-ˌlīk 

adjective

Synonyms

• doll

Examples of puppet in a Sentence

a dictator who was perceived as being an American puppet

gave her a puppet with strings for a gift

Recent Examples on the Web

Headed by the charismatic and talented Jaroslav Romanchuk, the institute struggled to navigate the complex waters of this Russian puppet state. —Alejandro Antonio Chafuen, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025

The seating arrangement allows for the poled puppets to move easily through the audience, and folks in the back can see all the action on stage. —Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 June 2025

Until recently, Iran could rely on its terror puppets in Hezbollah and Hamas and Syria to attack Israel during a confrontation, but those puppets are all gone now, defanged and destroyed. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 14 June 2025

Since there are actual puppets and sets, a major part of the film can’t be done online. —Marta Balaga, Variety, 10 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English popet youth, doll, from Middle French poupette, diminutive of *poupe doll, from Vulgar Latin *puppa, alteration of Latin pupa

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing puppet

• glove puppet
• hand puppet
• puppet regime
• sock puppet

Kids Definition

puppet

noun

pup·​pet ˈpəp-ət 

1

: a doll moved by hand or by strings or wires

2

: doll sense 1

3

: a person or a government whose acts are controlled by an outside force or influence