puppeteer

noun

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

Examples of puppeteer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Since its debut in 2006, the NBC reality competition series has introduced the world to a variety of jaw-dropping acts — from young singers and gifted illusionists to charismatic puppeteers and dancing dogs. Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025 The Olivier honors included an unprecedented Best Supporting Actor award to the puppeteers who operate the tiger named Richard Parker (named so because of a clerical error in filing after his capture). Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Sep. 2025 Set against the backdrop of New York, the film follows Kenji (Nishijima), a Japanese professor desperately seeking tenure, and Jane (Gwei), a Taiwanese-American puppeteer struggling to balance motherhood with her artistic identity. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 Sep. 2025 Everyone from Alice Cooper to circus animal puppeteers have graced our stages. Dan Stoltz, Twin Cities, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for puppeteer

Word History

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of puppeteer was in 1915

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Cite this Entry

“Puppeteer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puppeteer. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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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