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
Relevance
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay figures
Noun
-
These tools promise new creative options.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Mar. 2026 -
PwC is retraining staff in AI and launching AI tools; its Big Four rivals are doing likewise.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
More like completely disrupting and undermining public education, using students as pawns to make a political statement.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The play unfolds as a series of battles, where the unaccomplished George and the bitterly disappointed Martha exchange vicious and demeaning insults, using Nick and Honey as the unsuspecting pawns in their war for supremacy.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
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.
Cite this Entry
“Lay figures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay%20figures. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
