FIGUREHEAD Synonyms: 86 Similar and Opposite Words

figurehead

noun

Definition of figurehead

as in puppet

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Dissimilar Words

colossus

as in leader

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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

But what’s truly astonishing is the sheer scope of the effort involved in the gargantuan stop-motion production that involved some 200 practical puppets and 130 practical sets to bring the elaborate story to life.

— Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2026
Those who have been fully overtaken by the Bardo, with no hope of escape, are entrapped in giant puppet suits.

— Jane Bua, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of puppet

Noun

Tuesday night’s episode of NBC’s The Voice saw team leaders Kelly Clarkson, Adam Levine, Queen Latifah, and Riley Green complete their rosters as the Blind Auditions came to an end.

— Lars Brandle, Billboard, 7 Oct. 2026
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said the government and school leaders must listen to students' concerns and find solutions.

— NICOLAS GARRIGA, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of leader

Noun

California’s revenue is notoriously top heavy, leaving state coffers vulnerable to boom-and-bust cycles as the wealthiest residents see their incomes rise and fall with the stock market.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
Several people have been charged in connection with the bust, but whoever oversaw the network has so far managed to elude arrest.

— Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 8 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

In addition to developing better medicines or perfumes, deciphering the mirror images of molecules can help scientists understand the chemical architecture of life, said chemist Holden Thorp, editor-in-chief of the journal Science.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026
In a presentation to the Police Commission last month, the LAPD’s technology chief, Dean Gialamas, said that the department understood the privacy and civil liberty concerns raised about companies such as Flock.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of chief

Noun

There was such a bizarre synergy between that film and being the same namesake as this doll.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2026
For much of her early life, that single question was the most precious gift Laura had ever been given—more cherished than her Barbies or her Baby Alive or her Sunshine family dolls.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of doll

Noun

The village's pedestrian-only strip weaves through small shops, restaurants, and boutiques, and there's a Naval Museum housed in a 19th-century captain’s mansion that highlights the island’s maritime history—and is worth a visit.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Alex Ovechkin said Monday that his 22nd season in the NHL will be his last, beginning the farewell tour for the longtime Washington Capitals captain who holds the league's career goal-scoring record.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of captain

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figurehead

figureheads

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“Figurehead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figurehead. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of figurehead

noun

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