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
This famed Disney family attraction features stunning puppets, visual tableaux, Elton John songs and African music.
—
Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
Both would essentially be puppets of whatever the teachers unions want.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 30 Apr. 2026
The musical has been acclaimed for its visual spectacle and its clever use of puppets.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
There are scenes in the play where Ramos and Bradford operate a pair of space alien puppets, but to say more would spoil the play’s final twists.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
After Aurangzeb’s death in 1707, succession struggles and a string of weak rulers—some reigning for as little as a few months and often acting as mere puppets for others—quickened the empire’s fragmentation.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Apr. 2026
Bring your babies and toddlers for play dates with singing, movement, puppets, crafts, snacks and a special Havdalah ceremony, which marks the beginning of a new week.
—Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026
Back in New York, Marty began staging performances with his older brother’s puppets in order to earn money.
—Carmel Dagan, Variety, 13 Apr. 2026
Their puppets toured with such acts as Judy Garland, Liberace, The Mills Brothers, Tony Martin & Cyd Charisse, and Frank Sinatra.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Apr. 2026
Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
Both would essentially be puppets of whatever the teachers unions want.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 30 Apr. 2026
The musical has been acclaimed for its visual spectacle and its clever use of puppets.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
There are scenes in the play where Ramos and Bradford operate a pair of space alien puppets, but to say more would spoil the play’s final twists.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
After Aurangzeb’s death in 1707, succession struggles and a string of weak rulers—some reigning for as little as a few months and often acting as mere puppets for others—quickened the empire’s fragmentation.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Apr. 2026
Bring your babies and toddlers for play dates with singing, movement, puppets, crafts, snacks and a special Havdalah ceremony, which marks the beginning of a new week.
—Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026
Back in New York, Marty began staging performances with his older brother’s puppets in order to earn money.
—Carmel Dagan, Variety, 13 Apr. 2026
Their puppets toured with such acts as Judy Garland, Liberace, The Mills Brothers, Tony Martin & Cyd Charisse, and Frank Sinatra.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puppets
Noun
-
The brand is using the milestone to update its core dolls, expand its licensing business, and keep the focus on the original four characters that launched the label in 2001.—
Renan Botelho,
Footwear News,
18 May 2026
-
But when it got shortened to Izzy and the plush dolls started coming out, everyone became a little more endearing to this representative of the 1996 Olympics.—
Emily McLeod,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
Noun
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The organization is treating these athletes as political pawns instead of as young people with their own families, goals, futures and careers to think about.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
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Making the lives of Idahoans affordable, fixing healthcare, helping farmers produce affordable food and still make a living, saving our public lands and national forest for future generations, and making sure vets, servicemen and women and seniors are not used as pawns in political games.—
Kevin Fixler
May 3,
Idaho Statesman,
3 May 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
-
Police found his backpack with various tools.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
-
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Puppets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puppets. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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