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 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 Tang’s absence from the prospectus signals a decisive shift in governance, effectively consolidating power under founder Sky Xu while removing the Western-facing figurehead who spearheaded the foreign listing attempts. — Drew Bernstein, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 Shanahan has even empowered Lynch — who was hired by Shanahan to be a political figurehead a decade ago — to be the true GM of the team over the years. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 25 July 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for figurehead

Recent Examples of Synonyms for figurehead

Noun

Sanders has governed as a MAGA puppet; someone far more interested in improving her national political standing than in addressing Arkansas issues.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 31 Oct. 2026
Why call the result a zombie, rather than a ghost or a clone or a puppet?

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of puppet

Noun

City leaders see the measure as a way to make housing more accessible to young families and boost declining enrollment in the Davis Joint Unified School District, which is weighing school closures.

— Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Luna pitched himself to county voters as a calmly effective operator who has brought down crime while building relationships with local, state and federal leaders that suffered under his predecessor’s tenure.

— Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of leader

Noun

The dark comedy centers on Malina and Viktor, a sister and brother getting by on the fringes of post-Communist Macedonia by pilfering busts of national heroes cast in bronze, along with manhole covers, and selling off the metal.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 31 Oct. 2026
The singer went all out with the look, sporting a tall white wig and an oversized faux bust.

— Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 31 Oct. 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

Preliminary results show Benjamin Netanyahu’s party ahead but short of a majority, while former military chief Gadi Eisenkot’s opposition bloc trails and faces a difficult path to power.

— Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Netanyahu's Likud led with 27 seats, while former Israeli military chief Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party held 20.

— Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 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

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 5 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of figurehead

noun

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