Synonyms of puppet

puppet

noun

ˈpə-pət 

1

as in doll

a small figure often of a human being used especially as a child's plaything

gave her a puppet with strings for a gift

Synonyms & Similar Words

• doll
• dolly
• poppet
• action figure
• marionette
• rag doll
• figurine
• handpuppet
• figure

2

as in pawn

one that is or can be used to further the purposes of another

accused the newspaper editor of being a puppet for the moneyed people of the town

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pawn
• tool
• minion
• victim
• sucker
• instrument
• lay figure
• cat's-paw
• foil
• stooge
• chump
• dupe
• gull
• yes-man
• lapdog

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of puppet

Snow geese are large, ungainly animals, while this puppet one is sleek and white. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026

In her studio at Lee + White, puppets of various sizes stand and slump against the walls. — Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 17 Sep. 2026

All of the puppets in the show, naturally, are from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop. — Claire Harutunian, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2026

And the handcrafted, surreal warmth of Henson’s puppets and Muppets is a useful touchpoint when thinking about what the future of robots, literally, can look like. — Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026