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

Thurman first broke out with Finley, a horror-comedy short about a demonic puppet who repeatedly fails to kill the college students living in his home. — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 10 Nov. 2026

From traditional leather mojaris and colorful puppets to customizable jewelry, statement necklaces, and an endless assortment of trinkets, these markets are a shopper’s paradise. — Shalbha Sarda, Travel + Leisure, 9 Nov. 2026

At an event cohosted by VF at the Design Museum in London, guests got a behind-the-scenes look at the costumes, puppets, props, and sets that went into making Wildwood. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 8 Nov. 2026

The Sicilian marionettes were giant puppets, each around four feet high and controlled from above not by strings but iron rods. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 8 Nov. 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