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 of puppet

• 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

Meanwhile, 4-year-old Noah made the best of the outage by turning a flashlight into his own shadow puppet show that kept his siblings laughing. —Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025

Born from Jim Henson’s genius in the 1970s, the Muppets have long been more than just childlike puppets. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025

Apple also released a behind-the-scenes vignette about the production, which includes a look at the making of the puppets and their human puppeteers. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 27 Nov. 2025

The holiday season offers puppet shows, such as at Villa Borghese. —Carolyn Ryberg, Travel + Leisure, 26 Nov. 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