lay figure

noun

Definition of lay figurenext
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
  1. tool
  2. pawn
Noun
  • The teams intend to deploy artificial intelligence and digital engineering tools to model plant operations.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Democrats will now have powerful new tools to investigate the administration’s actions and push back on its agenda.
    — Sarah Todd, STAT, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of tool
Noun
  • The Berliners, which also included Thomas Fehlmann and Mark Ernestus, would rummage through pawn shops in Detroit to pick up kit no one else had.
    — Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Some items belonging to the people arrested also were found in a trash can in the department’s area for property and evidence, among them a folding knife, papers and a pawn shop receipt.
    — Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of pawn
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.

Browse Nearby Words

lay eyes on
lay figure
lay figures
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lay figure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay%20figure. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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