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
2
3
: one whose acts are controlled by an outside force or influence
a puppet ruler
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
Split actions have been accentuated as an early staple of the Adelman regime — reminiscent of his father’s elbow-entry offenses — with the three-time MVP center playing puppet master from the middle of the floor.
—
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2025
The Marvelous Medium of Masking Tape This workshop hosted by Matt McGee, the award-winning master puppet builder at the Great Arizona Puppet Theater teaches you how to turn your ideas into 3D artworks with masking tape.
—Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 6 Nov. 2025
The production intentionally blended Eastern and Western elements, drawing inspiration from Sergio Leone while incorporating Japanese Bunraku puppet movements and martial arts traditions.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025
The costume was designed by veteran costume and puppet designer Tahra Zafar and, of course, includes Paddington’s trademark blue duffel coat and red hat, as well as mechanics that enable facial expressions like blinking.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for puppet
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Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2025
The Marvelous Medium of Masking Tape This workshop hosted by Matt McGee, the award-winning master puppet builder at the Great Arizona Puppet Theater teaches you how to turn your ideas into 3D artworks with masking tape.
—Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 6 Nov. 2025
The production intentionally blended Eastern and Western elements, drawing inspiration from Sergio Leone while incorporating Japanese Bunraku puppet movements and martial arts traditions.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025
The costume was designed by veteran costume and puppet designer Tahra Zafar and, of course, includes Paddington’s trademark blue duffel coat and red hat, as well as mechanics that enable facial expressions like blinking.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for puppet
Cite this Entry
“Puppet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puppet. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
puppet
noun
pup·pet
ˈpəp-ət 
1
: a doll moved by hand or by strings or wires
2
3
: a person or a government whose acts are controlled by an outside force or influence
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