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

Its layered humor, sharp writing, and outstanding performances made everybody forget that the main character was a puppet. — Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 22 Sep. 2026

The vision of a puppet bird in flight loses a lot of its beauty when there’s a stage full of people milling about under it. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026

Reck and Annie Ulrich craft larger-than-life puppets to portray figures from Mexican folklore such as La Lechuza, a witch who takes the form of an owl. — Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 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

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