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 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 Use daily for improvement in the look of smile lines, forehead wrinkles, marionette lines, skin hydration, skin elasticity, volume and plumpness. — Tory Johnson, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026 Natalie Haynes fleshes out the backstories of her cast—Jason, a handsome ship captain on a quest for the Golden Fleece, the scheming sorceress Medea, and Olympian deities toying with mortals like marionettes—and imbues them all with contemporary vibes. — Hamilton Cain, Time, 3 Mar. 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
  • One element Davy loved was giving Jules black eyeliner under her eyes — a detail that’s a little baby doll-like.
    — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026
  • May this doll remind every child and every collector that dreams have no limits, excellence leaves a lasting imprint, and true greatness never goes out of style.
    — Alexis Mikulski Ruiz, VIBE.com, 10 Aug. 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
  • These old Christmas figurines have a unique appeal and steep secondhand prices.
    — Shagun Khare, Martha Stewart, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Unsure about which format would be most successful, the pair listed half of the figurines under static buy-it-now listings, and livestreamed the other half, both features still existing on the site today.
    — Sarah Glodek, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of figurine

Browse Nearby Words

marines
marionette
marionettes
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Marionette.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/marionette. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on marionette

Nglish: Translation of marionette for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about marionette

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