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
  • This capability—combined with tools like protein folding simulations—has opened the door to faster, more efficient drug development pipelines.
    Tomoko Yokoi, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Short passwords — think six or eight characters — can be cracked in minutes by modern hacking tools.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Consumers should check the spot price of gold online before hawking their gold at a pawn shop or online marketplace like Alloy or Express Gold Cash, Kristof said.
    Jessica Dickler,Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Officials did not name the auction house or the pawn shop.
    Kaitlyn Huamani, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
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.

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“Lay figure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay%20figure. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

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