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

At that time, checkpoint scanners were effectively digital shadow puppets. —Eric Sullivan, Scientific American, 29 Jan. 2026

Their motley cast of puppets, including a lizardlike character named Kermit, sang parody songs and performed comedy sketches. —Jared Bahir Browsh, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026

The knight and his diminutive squire, Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell) go to a puppet show. —Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026

The first was Republican Doris Allen of Orange County in 1995, a puppet of departing Democratic Speaker Willie Brown. —George Skelton, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 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