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
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
In Brasópolis, Brazil, the tradition of honoring people from the city and region is celebrated through large Bonecos de Olinda, larger-than-life puppets made of papier-mache that stand nearly 9 feet tall.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 23 Feb. 2026
During rehearsals with handheld cameras and angles, the actors were encouraged to capture with high-energy gestures and behaviors how the stop-motion puppets may eventually be shown in motion at 24 frames per second from their miniature set.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 23 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
With this new production comes brand new puppets, unique characters, new music, and newfound joy.
—Erica Olsen, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2026
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
In Brasópolis, Brazil, the tradition of honoring people from the city and region is celebrated through large Bonecos de Olinda, larger-than-life puppets made of papier-mache that stand nearly 9 feet tall.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 23 Feb. 2026
During rehearsals with handheld cameras and angles, the actors were encouraged to capture with high-energy gestures and behaviors how the stop-motion puppets may eventually be shown in motion at 24 frames per second from their miniature set.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 23 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
With this new production comes brand new puppets, unique characters, new music, and newfound joy.
—Erica Olsen, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puppets
Noun
-
Lizzy's dolls eventually become brown with dirt.—
KYLE MELNICK THE WASHINGTON POST,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
-
In an expansion of its business of processing pharmaceuticals in Earth’s orbit, Varda Space Industries is renting a large El Segundo plant where toy manufacturer Mattel used to design Hot Wheels and Barbie dolls.—
Roger Vincent,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
More like completely disrupting and undermining public education, using students as pawns to make a political statement.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The play unfolds as a series of battles, where the unaccomplished George and the bitterly disappointed Martha exchange vicious and demeaning insults, using Nick and Honey as the unsuspecting pawns in their war for supremacy.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Most carts, dollies, and internal transport tools are discarded simply because a single part failed or the workflow changed.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
These tools promise new creative options.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Mar. 2026
-
PwC is retraining staff in AI and launching AI tools; its Big Four rivals are doing likewise.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Puppets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puppets. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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