1
as in dolls
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
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2
as in pawns
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of puppets
With voicework still limited in video games at the time, his primary role was representing the character at trade shows next to visualizers and digital puppets.
—
Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 5 Apr. 2026
America during the 1960s reeled from the Civil Rights movement, anti-Vietnam War protests and other political and social upheaval — and protest art took different forms, like performance art, even puppets.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
Root for the home team, watch a dystopian future expressed through puppets, get back to nature, rock out under a starry backdrop or join in on the fun with an improv group.
—John Coffren, Baltimore Sun, 26 Mar. 2026
Jeffrey is making big puppets for these performances — one is 7 feet tall — and experimenting with the form of the event.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
When planning a war to install a puppet regime, a smart president, or even one of average intelligence, would grasp the importance of not killing the puppets beforehand.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026
As Stravinsky’s puppets awaken to human emotion, the score weaves seamlessly through corresponding tracks from DAMN.
—Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Feb. 2026
There are examples theatrical and ceremonial puppetry including video of a bullfight and circus acrobat routines depicted with puppets.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 24 Feb. 2026
The plutocrat puppets like Bannon and the felonious Trumps will destroy the courts, justice system and balance of power.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 23 Feb. 2026
Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 5 Apr. 2026
America during the 1960s reeled from the Civil Rights movement, anti-Vietnam War protests and other political and social upheaval — and protest art took different forms, like performance art, even puppets.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
Root for the home team, watch a dystopian future expressed through puppets, get back to nature, rock out under a starry backdrop or join in on the fun with an improv group.
—John Coffren, Baltimore Sun, 26 Mar. 2026
Jeffrey is making big puppets for these performances — one is 7 feet tall — and experimenting with the form of the event.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
When planning a war to install a puppet regime, a smart president, or even one of average intelligence, would grasp the importance of not killing the puppets beforehand.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026
As Stravinsky’s puppets awaken to human emotion, the score weaves seamlessly through corresponding tracks from DAMN.
—Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Feb. 2026
There are examples theatrical and ceremonial puppetry including video of a bullfight and circus acrobat routines depicted with puppets.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 24 Feb. 2026
The plutocrat puppets like Bannon and the felonious Trumps will destroy the courts, justice system and balance of power.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 23 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puppets
Noun
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Horner, authorities said, was delivering a package of Barbie dolls intended to be Athena's Christmas present.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The case brought a flood of visitors to the Louvre to see the space where the Mona Lisa had hung; postcards of her were printed, and Mona Lisa dolls were made and marketed.—
Anne Doran,
ARTnews.com,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
They were used as pawns in completely unrelated political battles.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Apr. 2026
-
But, in the slammers investigation, nearly all the people being prosecuted were pawns—passengers who’d agreed to ride in cars.—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The 750-ton building was placed onto 20 dollies and moved onto city property where it was ultimately restored and opened as a museum and events venue.—
Camila Gomez,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2026
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Each band’s gear had been set up on dollies and risers, secured under forty-foot-long tents.—
Alex Abramovich,
New Yorker,
22 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Editing tools like Descript are also rushing into the growing market for digital clones.—
Taylor Lorenz,
Vanity Fair,
15 Apr. 2026
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Each new Home Depot location includes a dedicated pro team, along with digital tools designed to streamline ordering.—
Alexandria Mansfield,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Puppets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puppets. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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