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
Relevance
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
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 puppets
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puppets
Noun
-
The selection opens with Taiwanese work Welcome to the Dollhouse about YouTuber Princess Maria who sets out to uncover the secrets of Madame Dolly, a sorceress who can turn lifeless dolls into human beings.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Inside, Sophie loves to play with her baby dolls and stuffed animals.—
Pioneer Press,
Twin Cities,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Most people don’t think children should be pawns in any politician’s culture war.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Most people don’t think children should be pawns in any politician’s culture war.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
Our editors are big fans of Dyson’s hair tools—and especially so for travel days.—
Charley Ward,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Meanwhile, the company said, more than 8 million advertisers now use at least one of its generative AI creative tools, with particularly strong adoption among small and midsize advertisers.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Puppets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puppets. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
