Synonyms of puppet

puppet

noun

ˈpə-pət 

1

as in doll

a small figure often of a human being used especially as a child's plaything

gave her a puppet with strings for a gift

Synonyms & Similar Words

• doll
• dolly
• poppet
• action figure
• marionette
• rag doll
• figurine
• handpuppet
• figure

2

as in pawn

one that is or can be used to further the purposes of another

accused the newspaper editor of being a puppet for the moneyed people of the town

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pawn
• tool
• minion
• victim
• sucker
• instrument
• lay figure
• cat's-paw
• foil
• stooge
• chump
• dupe
• gull
• yes-man
• lapdog

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of puppet

At the festival, the organization covers the cost of a free youth zone that includes face painters, balloon artists, character artists, puppet shows and an exotic petting zoo. — Kansas City Star, 13 July 2026

Get lost in one of the Old Quarter’s 36 trade streets, take a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, or watch a water puppet show at the Lotus Water Puppet Theater. — Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 5 July 2026

The puppet show was saved, according to Tremaine, in the editing room. — Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 2 July 2026

His scenes with the other characters blend live-action and large puppets, with relentless running gags and stream-of-consciousness imagery. — Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 1 July 2026