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
-
The water conservation district arguably lacks the tools needed to live up to the conservation part of its name assigned by state legislators.—
Allen Best,
Denver Post,
14 June 2026 -
Pilots are highly trained to problem solve, and this tiny tool is a go-to travel hack for some of the most frequent flyers.—
Kristy Alpert,
Travel + Leisure,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
Like, that is his reality and everyone else is just kind of a small pawn in it.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
19 June 2026
-
Gulf governments, meanwhile, have dabbled abroad as well, while trying to address grievances among their own Shia populations to prevent them from becoming pawns of Tehran.—
Mohammed Sergie,
semafor.com,
15 June 2026
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“Lay figure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay%20figure. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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