puppet

noun

pup·​pet ˈpə-pət 

often attributive

1

a

: a small-scale figure (as of a person or animal) usually with a cloth body and hollow head that fits over and is moved by the hand

b

: marionette

2

: doll sense 1

3

: one whose acts are controlled by an outside force or influence

a puppet ruler

puppetlike

ˈpə-pət-ˌlīk 

adjective

Synonyms

• action figure
• doll
• dolly
• poppet [Midland]

Examples of puppet in a Sentence

a dictator who was perceived as being an American puppet

gave her a puppet with strings for a gift

Recent Examples on the Web

The suit was mostly sculpted by hand, using materials like silicon gels and hyper-realistic puppet heads. —Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Jan. 2025

At San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum, families can also find a child-sized grocery store play area, a puppet theater, a wind tunnel and other activities for kids. —Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Jan. 2025

The puppet performance serves as a grim explanation for Moretti’s motives, as well as a valid confrontation of the media’s abuse of power and privacy in pursuit of celebrity gossip. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2025

Besides Connelly and Bowie, plus the humans playing baby Toby and Sarah and Toby's parents, Labyrinth's other characters are played by puppets. —Jen Juneau, People.com, 23 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English popet youth, doll, from Middle French poupette, diminutive of *poupe doll, from Vulgar Latin *puppa, alteration of Latin pupa

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing puppet

• glove puppet
• hand puppet
• puppet regime
• sock puppet

Kids Definition

puppet

noun

pup·​pet ˈpəp-ət 

1

: a doll moved by hand or by strings or wires

2

: doll sense 1

3

: a person or a government whose acts are controlled by an outside force or influence