marionette

noun

mar·​i·​o·​nette ˌmer-ē-ə-ˈnet 

: a small-scale usually wooden figure (as of a person) with jointed limbs that is moved from above by manipulation of the attached strings or wires

Examples of marionette in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But the marionette lines burst brashly into view one morning like a Cybertruck on a quaint street, mocking my theories of ‘Asian gracefully’; a miserable admission of my inflamed insides. —Melissa Kenny, refinery29.com, 30 Oct. 2024

The image of his own Frankenstein’s monster installed in what’s basically a marionette system by her creator is one of the show’s most memorable in its entire run. —Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2024

Spectators rushed to the windows, reveling in the dancing marionettes behind the glass. —Michael Callahan, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024

The sculpture is held up by a crane, and some people see it as a marionette, eliciting both laughs, criticisms, and discussions. —Alex Perry, The Enquirer, 12 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French marionnette, from Middle French maryonete, from Marion, diminutive of Marie Mary

First Known Use

circa 1620, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

marionette

noun

mar·​i·​o·​nette ˌmar-ē-ə-ˈnet 

ˌmer-

: a puppet moved by attached strings or wires