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

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, who is essentially Netanyahu’s puppet, has established a new administrative body in his ministry to promote emigration. —Amos Harel, Foreign Affairs, 7 Apr. 2025

In both films, the director insisted on using real animal fibers for the puppets. —Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Apr. 2025

Being merely a puppet of whatever the AI tells you is not likely to work out and you’ll probably be castigated as the dumbest person in the room rather than the smartest. —Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025

Three of the puppets were about a foot tall, with the other two measuring about 18 centimeters. —ArsTechnica, 31 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