sock puppet

American  

[sok puhp-it] / ˈsɒk ˌpʌp ɪt /

Also sockpuppet

noun

1. a hand puppet made out of a sock.

2. a person or group whose actions are controlled by another; a puppet.

   The politician was suspected to be a sock puppet for the oil company he'd invested in.

3. Digital Technology.

   1. Also called sock.  a false name or identity assumed by an internet user, often to deceive or to preserve the user's anonymity.

      The forum is moderated by Bob, and has a contributor named Tom, a sock puppet operated by Bob.

   2. Also called sock account.  Also called sock,.  an online user account created for such purposes.

      I'm posting from a sock puppet because I don't want my boss to see this.

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verb (used without object)

Digital Technology.

1. to assume a false identity or name on the internet, often to deceive or to preserve the user's anonymity.

   The contest succeeded, despite people's tendencies to sock puppet and upvote their own work.

sock puppet British  

noun

1. a simple puppet made from a sock and worn over one hand

2. an extra online identity created by a member of a discussion forum, etc, to agree with opinions submitted under his or her usual online name

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• sock puppeteer
  noun
• sock puppetry
  noun
• sock-puppet
  verb (used without object)

Etymology

Origin of sock puppet

First recorded in 1959 sock puppet for def. 1; in 1990–95 sock puppet for def. 2; and in 2000–05 sock puppet for def. 3

Example Sentences

Wearing a handmade sock puppet with large googly eyes she found at Walmart, Esquivel read “Snuggle Puppy!” in a high-pitched voice as her teenage daughter recorded.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026

Asked whether he would indeed be the president's sock puppet, Warsh said: "Absolutely not."

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

“But this isn’t a sock puppet — she says things that aren’t scripted.”

From Seattle Times • Feb. 13, 2024

The sock puppet show was averted; Kenwright came through.

From New York Times • Jan. 17, 2023

Made fun of a particularly hilarious photo of me when I was three, which was fair because I look like a sock puppet in it!

From "Auggie & Me" by R. J. Palacio