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marionette

noun

Definition of marionettenext
as in doll
a puppet that is moved by pulling strings or wires that are attached to its body

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of marionette The 1960 series Supercar marked the debut of supermarionation, an electronic system that makes marionettes more lifelike and convincing on screen. — Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 9 July 2026 About 146 groups, made up of more than 1,400 participants, marched in the parade, with projects ranging from larger-than-life marionette dolls to squads of children in do-it-yourself costumes to mobile re-creations of LACMA’s most iconic art pieces. — Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026 Clicking and clacking, a tiny wooden marionette lifts an apple to his mouth ad infinitum. — Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 10 June 2026 Sid spent much of the 1950s touring his marionettes in Europe and even appeared with Judy Garland as her opening act during the latter part of the decade. — Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for marionette
Recent Examples of Synonyms for marionette
  1. doll
  2. dolly
  3. poppet
  4. rag doll
  5. figurine
Noun
  • The gift set also includes a Slappy doll and a retro edition of Night of the Living Dummy, featuring its original cover art.
    — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The dolls feature fashionable clothing, long rooted hair and collective accessories, among other features, that represent their particular emotion.
    — Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of doll
Noun
  • Before Brown invented the Steadicam, about the only way to create a smooth moving shot on a film was to use a dolly, a technology that had been around since the early days of filmmaking but required heavy track that could only be laid so far.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 2 July 2026
  • Tuesday, surveillance video shows an SUV pull up and two people enter the back door of Hushcha's loft with a dolly.
    — Jason Rantala, CBS News, 3 June 2026
Definition of dolly
Noun
  • The Teflon seal around a poppet, a thruster valve, expanded and started extruding out as the thruster headed up.
    — Ryan Erik King / Jalopnik, Quartz, 5 Sep. 2024
  • Between 1902 and 1904, she was granted eight patents related to rotary engines, including sleeve-valve innovations that were improvements over conventional poppet valves.
    — John Greathouse, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2021
Definition of poppet
Noun
  • The ballad was inspired by Cusack's character in the franchise, the cowgirl rag doll Jessie.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 7 June 2026
  • Alvarado might have gotten away with some hard contact when initiating the box out, but Wembanyama may have gotten away with a flagrant foul after wrapping both of his arms near Alvarado's neck and tossing him like a rag doll.
    — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2026
Definition of rag doll
Noun
  • But the fun doesn’t stop with figurines—the calendar also includes moldable sand and molds to make snowballs and snowflakes, plus pop-out play pieces like a festive tree and a sled to soar across the frozen landscape.
    — Chaunie Brusie, Parents, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Tucked into the sun visor, a tiny figurine of Jesus watches from above.
    — Sarah Matusek, Christian Science Monitor, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of figurine

Browse Nearby Words

marines
marionette
marionettes
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Cite this Entry

“Marionette.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/marionette. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on marionette

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about marionette

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