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
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
That Beelzebub takes the form of a rickety-looking puppet might explain his enthusiasm.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
The real reason is to wreak as much havoc as humanly possible, or at least that’s what we’re given to believe from the way the hostess swans about while deftly manipulating dozens of puppet strings simultaneously.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for puppet
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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
That Beelzebub takes the form of a rickety-looking puppet might explain his enthusiasm.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
The real reason is to wreak as much havoc as humanly possible, or at least that’s what we’re given to believe from the way the hostess swans about while deftly manipulating dozens of puppet strings simultaneously.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 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 9 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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