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

Example Sentences

Firmin said the person who took the puppet "did the right thing" to confess.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

The puppet, from the children's TV series The Clangers, was taken in the early 1970s.

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

Nate loved the sidewalk puppet shows and jugglers who spun torches on the street corners.

From I Survived the American Revolution, 1776 by Lauren Tarshis

Related Words

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