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
  • Figma added four new AI-native tools to its platform this quarter and told investors on the call to expect significant investments in AI going forward.
    Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Traders currently place the odds of a 25 basis-point cut at 98 percent, according to the CME FedWatch tool.
    Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Bill Wilkins was a pawn in Valak’s scheme to possess Janet Hodgson.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Photos of recovered items following Maisonet's pawn shop raid show a custom Sounders MLS Cup ring and Seahawks ring, believed to be owned by Macklemore, per KOMO News.
    Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Lay figure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay%20figure. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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