puppeteer

noun

pup·​pe·​teer ˌpə-pə-ˈtir How to pronounce puppeteer (audio)
: one who manipulates puppets

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web According to the prosecution, Lori was a master puppeteer pulling the strings in a heinous murder plot that left three innocent people dead: her 16-year-old daughter Tylee Ryan, her 7-year-old son, JJ Vallow, and Tammy Daybell, Chad Daybell's wife of almost 30 years. Jonathan Vigliotti, CBS News, 13 May 2023 If the puppeteer is really seeing the thing, the audience will see the thing. Laura Collins-hughes, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2023 The process started at a puppet boot camp led by a master puppeteer. Myrna Petlicki, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2023 Fungus starts to direct the ant's behavior, telling it where to go, what to do, like a puppeteer with a marionette. Philip Ellis, Men's Health, 18 Jan. 2023 Accomplished puppeteer Honey Goodenough has toured the country with her shows and taught kids for years, so your children are sure to be in for a treat. BostonGlobe.com, 7 July 2022 All of the sounds the tiger makes, including the roars, come from the puppeteers themselves during each live performance, not a backing track. Jamie Wax, CBS News, 2 May 2023 Add to that a cast of human personalities (including Matt Robinson, who originated the character of Gordon in the show’s early seasons, and Will Lee, who played storekeeper Mr. Hooper) and Muppets (the creation of genius puppeteer Jim Henson), and a landmark of television was born. Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 7 May 2021 On Tuesday, puppeteer Jerry Halliday brought out one of his puppets during a show celebrating Touché's 45th anniversary and put on a performance that attendees have called racist and transphobic — and which has since plunged the bar into controversy. Chicago Tribune Staff, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'puppeteer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of puppeteer was in 1915

Dictionary Entries Near puppeteer

Cite this Entry

“Puppeteer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puppeteer. Accessed 9 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

puppeteer

noun
pup·​pe·​teer ˌpəp-ə-ˈti(ə)r How to pronounce puppeteer (audio)
: one who works puppets

More from Merriam-Webster on puppeteer

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