tool

1 an article intended for use in work needed a special tool to open the case of the CD player Synonyms device, instrument, implement, utensilRelated Words apparatus, appliance, mechanism; contraption, contrivance, gadget, gizmo (also gismo), jigger; accessory (also accessary), accoutrement (or accouterment), adjunct, appendage, attachment

2 one that is or can be used to further the purposes of another a ruthless leader using his trusting followers as tools in his quest for power Synonyms cat's-paw, instrument, lay figure, puppet, pawnRelated Words chump, dupe, foil, gull, sucker, victim; minion, stooge; lap dog, yes-man

3 one who is easily deceived or cheated you're just a pathetic tool of the advertising industry if you believe everything you see in TV commercials Synonyms chump, gull, mug [chiefly British], patsy, pigeon, pushover, sap, soft touch, sucker, dupeRelated Words cat's-paw, mark, target, victim; schlemiel (also shlemiel); butt, derision, laughingstock, mock, mockery; booby, dodo, fool, goose, half-wit, jackass, lunatic, monkey, nincompoop, ninny, nitwit, simp, simpleton, turkey, yo-yo; loser; blockhead, cretin, dolt, dope, dumbbell, dummy, dunce, idiot, imbecile, moron, schlub (also shlub) [slang], schlump [slang], schnook [slang]Near Antonyms cheat, cheater, confidence man, cozener, defrauder, dodger, hoaxer, shark, sharper, slicker, swindler, trickster