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
  • On top of that, with a variety of third-party tools available on the market, business owners can also have their pick, according to RMIT Vietnam’s Parida.
    Bernice Ooi, CNBC, 26 June 2025
  • Human smugglers, often linked to drug cartels, have used tunnels, ladders and power tools to cross walls.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • As something of a pawn in the game of tactical chess between Ferreira and Paiva, the broad conclusion was that the experiment did not quite work out for the teenager.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 28 June 2025
  • Investigators reported finding a receipt matching those items sold to a pawn shop, where Tate provided his Tennessee driver’s license to conduct the transaction, according to the report.
    Olivia Lloyd, Charlotte Observer, 18 June 2025
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Cite this Entry

“Lay figure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay%20figure. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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