as in tools
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 figures
Noun
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Browsing gets assistant Gemini in Chrome introduces new creative tools as well.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Jan. 2026 -
Leadership teams are looking for the next initiative, and yet employees may be overwhelmed by a plethora of health tools, programs and perks.—
Serenity Gibbons,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In his addled mind, the millions of people in these cities who depend on federal funds for health, transit, education and whatever else are only pawns in a broader struggle to consolidate his own authority by any means necessary.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Wembanyama’s Spurs moved the first few pawns.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Lay figures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay%20figures. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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