puppet

noun

pup·​pet ˈpə-pət How to pronounce puppet (audio)
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
2
3
: one whose acts are controlled by an outside force or influence
a puppet ruler
puppetlike adjective

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
These directives could be conveyed to AGI and ASI without anyone else knowing that the AI maker is pulling the puppet strings underlying AGI and ASI. Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025 In fact, just last season several Raiders players mocked Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes with a Kermit the frog puppet with his signature curly hair and dressed in his No. 15 jersey (many have said Mahomes sounds like Kermit over the years). Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025 Your husband’s anxiety just makes her puppet strings easier to pull. Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 5 July 2025 The trio are set to appear in the next season of iconic puppet comedy Spitting Image, which is embracing the world of YouTube vodcasts. Max Goldbart, Deadline, 4 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for puppet

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of puppet was in 1538

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Puppet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puppet. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

puppet

noun
pup·​pet ˈpəp-ət How to pronounce puppet (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on puppet

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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