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 kids who venerate McQueen as a fashion figurehead these days, after all, are likely to be found at the Cyberdog, just like McGirr once was. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 21 Sep. 2026 In Vance, the movement has a prominent and influential figurehead, flanked by leaders such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Missouri Senator Josh Hawley, and the media personality Tucker Carlson. — Leonard A. Schuette, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026 As the controversy swirled, Treblo absorbed a surfeit of free publicity, with Fenix Flexin as its figurehead. — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 4 Aug. 2026 Part of the problem for the West is that Russia, at least from the outside, is a cohesive unit—oppressive and economically dysfunctional, but largely united under the figurehead of Putin. — Literary Hub, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for figurehead

Recent Examples of Synonyms for figurehead

Noun

At an event cohosted by VF at the Design Museum in London, guests got a behind-the-scenes look at the costumes, puppets, props, and sets that went into making Wildwood.

— José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 8 Nov. 2026
The Sicilian marionettes were giant puppets, each around four feet high and controlled from above not by strings but iron rods.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of puppet

Noun

Political leaders are calling for national Democratic support in Southern states to increase before the next presidential contest, and for 2028 hopefuls to prioritize black voter outreach.

— Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 11 Nov. 2026
Sacramento City Unified leaders are pressing the city for notifications when ICE operates near schools after a parent was detained blocks from an elementary campus.

— The Sacramento Bee staff, Sacbee.com, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of leader

Noun

This is, in part, a byproduct of private equity’s natural boom-and-bust cycle.

— Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2026
Friday’s biggest lift for the S&P 500 came from Nvidia, the chip company that’s become the face of the boom and possible bust of the AI frenzy.

— Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of bust

Noun

From there, Willcox pushed the team toward a flatter structure than the traditional sailing hierarchy, in which a star helmsman and a handful of senior crew dominate decision-making.

— Andrew Rice, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of helmsman

Noun

From the Magazine Fans of puppet shows are trying to save the traditional art of marionette-making in the United Kingdom before the skills are lost.

— Kelly Kasulis Cho, Christian Science Monitor, 8 Oct. 2026
Harkness likens Lamb to an old marionette-maker who no longer pulls the strings.

— Scott Tobias, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of marionette

Noun

In Egypt, a Cairo judge postponed the retrial of the editor-in-chief of one of the country's last independent news outlets for a week after her defense lawyers asked him to recuse himself, the outlet said.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Nov. 2026
Rodriguez argued that elections chief Alina Garcia was biased because of her ties to the Republican Party and her son-in-law’s representation of Salazar.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of chief

Noun

Robots, Barbie dolls, Supermans, T-rexes and princesses began to form in a circular line around the perimeter of the gym.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026
After their investigation the Warrens concluded that the doll was being controlled by a demon.

— Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of doll

Noun

Flight experts say weather was likely a factor in the crash and that the captain should have delayed the flight after seeing the forecast.

— David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2026
The captain was later taken to the emergency room at Gema Santhi Regional Hospital for treatment, according to ANTARA News, the official national news agency of Indonesia.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of captain

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figured out

figurehead

figureheads

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Style

“Figurehead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figurehead. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of figurehead

noun

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