FIGUREHEAD Synonyms: 86 Similar and Opposite Words

figurehead

noun

Definition of figurehead

as in puppet

Related Words

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Dissimilar Words

colossus

as in leader

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of figurehead The president is the head of state and primarily a figurehead but also has a constitutional role during a political crisis. — ABC News, 24 July 2026 Keegan was not interested in being a figurehead or a legend in the executive boxes, shaking hands and reminiscing about the old days. — George Caulkin, New York Times, 21 July 2026 Disney Channel alum, and perhaps the best figurehead for the layered look, Ashley Tisdale is the go-to internet meme for when millennials want to reminisce about the Y2K fashion choices. — Emma Childs, Glamour, 17 July 2026 Norton’s Ormund Hightower, Alicent’s cousin leading the Hightower host in support of Aegon and the Greens, has been a figurehead since the start of the Game of Thrones prequel’s third season. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for figurehead

Recent Examples of Synonyms for figurehead

Noun

Putting on a Muppet show is always an elaborate production involving angles, runways, monitors and sets that make the audience forget that these are puppets.

— Mya Copeland, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026
Watch a late-night puppet show sraey htiw yteirav ot ot eht eht detnelat emos wels wohs ?

— Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of puppet

Noun

Fans, artists, and leaders across all industries are mourning the star whose relentless optimism, grace, and resilience was a shining light.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
Burch, who wasn't known for being particularly close with her neighbors before, emerged as vocal leader—and a lightning rod for deal proponents.

— Noah Shachtman, Vanity Fair, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of leader

Noun

Director of the Italian cruise company’s crisis unit Roberto Ferrarini, cabin service director Manrico Giampedroni, first officer Ciro Ambrosio, helmsman Bin and third officer Silvia Coronica were all charged with manslaughter and negligence.

— Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026
Corlys orders his men to thread the rocky Dragonstone pass at low tide, even relieving the helmsman of the ship’s wheel at the crucial moment.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 June 2026

Definition of helmsman

Noun

On Sunday, Roman Goffman, the chief of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, met again with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani in Jordan to ease the latest tensions, according to the Syrian state news agency.

— Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
The pilots could not see the runway and were flying by instruments, Clint Johnson, the National Transportation Safety Board’s Alaska region chief, said Friday.

— Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of chief

Noun

Sunday’s tragedy comes just days after a Florida Keys charter fishing boat captain was hospitalized after being hit by a lightning bolt on Florida Bay.

— David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2026
Reed especially faces little resistance until the big showdown against the captain, during which that denim jacket finally gets a stain.

— Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of captain

Browse Nearby Words

figured out

figurehead

figureheads

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Style

“Figurehead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figurehead. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of figurehead

noun

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