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

• action figure
• doll
• dolly
• poppet [Midland]

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

The exhibition centers around a new three-channel video series where Musson endeavors to educate his skeptical puppet sidekick Ollie on the relevance of art. —Allison Kiehl, The Enquirer, 3 Apr. 2024

Like all the musical’s beasties, Rosie is a puppet, and the production’s use of that artistic device is deftly integrated. —Elisabeth Vincentelli, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024

Musk has since claimed that Lemon was essentially a puppet for former CNN chief Jeff Zucker. —Sunny Nagpaul, Fortune, 14 Mar. 2024

Ali and Abu Reem retreated behind the partition for the second act: a puppet show. —Anand Gopal, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024

Putin and his puppets fixate on the hydrocarbon economy — the money-making machine that is fueling its war against Ukraine and paying for its social obligations. —Ken Silverstein, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024

Don’t forget to check out the accompanying video where Safi’s puppet creation, sheep reporter Judeh, explains it all in entertaining fashion. —Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2024

Its white governors prop up one local Black politician—a powerless puppet who maintains his position through the energetic stuffing of ballot boxes. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2024

Early in his career, his ambition helped clip the puppet strings of his boy band image and establish him as a serious and legitimate solo artist. —Lindsay Zoladz, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024

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

• puppet regime
• hand puppet
• glove puppet
• 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