puppet

American  

[puhp-it] / ˈpʌp ɪt /

noun

1. an artificial figure representing a human being or an animal, manipulated by the hand, rods, wires, etc., as on a miniature stage.

2. a person, group, government, etc., whose actions are prompted and controlled by another or others.

   Synonyms:

   instrument, figurehead, pawn

3. a small doll.

4. Machinery. poppethead.

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puppet British  

/ ˈpʌpɪt /

noun

1. 1. a small doll or figure of a person or animal moved by strings attached to its limbs or by the hand inserted in its cloth body

   2. ( as modifier )

      a puppet theatre

2. 1. a person, group, state, etc, that appears independent but is in fact controlled by another

   2. ( as modifier )

      a puppet government

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Other Word Forms

• puppetlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of puppet

1350–1400; earlier poppet, Middle English popet, apparently alteration of Middle Low German poppe doll < Late Latin puppa, Latin pūpa doll; -et

Explanation

A doll or figure controlled by a person so that it appears to be moving on its own is a puppet. A puppet can be fun, but if you feel like a puppet, it seems like someone is controlling you. Not fun. A puppet show, performed for an audience, is a kind of theater — with puppets instead of actors. Hand puppets' arms are controlled by the puppeteer's fingers, while marionettes have many more nuances of movement due to the strings attached to various parts of their bodies. These complex puppets can appear very human-like. Sometimes puppet means someone who is controlled by others: "He was president, but he was just a puppet for his political party."

Example Sentences

Ortiz admits it was an adjustment to work with a puppet he didn’t design himself.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

She said there had been a campaign in the 70s to find the puppet and no-one knew it had been taken by people on a day trip to London.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

For the price of a regular movie ticket, the Roxy’s patrons could also watch the singer, the puppet show and the comedian, live.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 2, 2026

Dunk, a hedge knight who cannot abide the strong preying on the weak, might have intervened regardless of his romantic feelings for Tanselle, the Dornish puppet master who treated him kindly.

From Salon • Feb. 25, 2026

The row of windows cast a cold white light, making everything within look like a shadow puppet.

From "When the Sea Turned to Silver" by Grace Lin

Related Words

• figurehead
• instrument
• pawn
• servant
• stooge
• tool