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
  • In a 2004 study, the United States Institute of Peace said that hundreds of terrorist groups had migrated online, utilizing a tool meant for better communication for often nefarious purposes.
    Richard Frankel, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Meeting these expectations has put real strain on automotive retail, challenging dealers to know when to rely on intelligent tools—and when to step in with human expertise.
    Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Weeks of checking pawn shops and posting reward signs went nowhere.
    Jennifer Jolly, USA Today, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Missing pawns, cracked hourglass timers, and flimsy boxes have a way of sneaking up on you.
    Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 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 18 Sep. 2025.

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