lay figure

as in tool
one that is or can be used to further the purposes of another the novel's characters are not fully fleshed humans, but are simply lay figures strutted out to serve as mouthpieces for conflicting points of view

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay figure
Noun
  • Dealing With Clogs and Clots Many robot vacuums now come with tiny tools embedded inside the body of the vacuum that make routine maintenance slightly easier.
    Adrienne So, Wired News, 19 July 2025
  • That’s the total price of all-inclusive hair transplant packages in Turkey, with specialized tools and enhanced precision.
    K. H. Koehler, USA Today, 19 July 2025
Noun
  • The suspect is also wanted in Massachusetts for allegedly stealing guns from a pawn shop in February 2025, Tisch said.
    Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 20 July 2025
  • United Communities is pro-development but wanted deed restrictions to prevent the opening of liquor stores, pawn shops, and tattoo shops.
    Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 2025
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“Lay figure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay%20figure. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.

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