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

Rather than toys, researchers believe the figurines were more likely an early type of puppet used in ritualistic funerary performances. —Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 6 Mar. 2025

Shout-out to puppet designer Paul Lewis for the truly frightening Jenny Pen. —Pete Hammond, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2025

Putin tried the same thing with his long-time collaborator Viktor Medvedchuk, his pick for a puppet leader, before Medvedchuk was arrested on treason charges in April 2022. —Illia Ponomarenko, TIME, 6 Mar. 2025

Yet instead of dealing with those problems, the industry’s puppet politicians just kept throwing more money at tourism. —Scott Maxwell, Orlando Sentinel, 4 Mar. 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