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

• 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

One kind and patient spectator conscripted to play the school counselor had to remove her shoe to improvise a sock puppet, one of the tools of her empathetic practice.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2026

“You think someone who likes an inanimate object is like this sad guy, with the sock puppet with the lipstick on it, you know?” he said.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 13, 2024

“If we had to do it as a sock puppet show, we’d do that till we raised the money.”

From New York Times • Jan. 17, 2023

Granted, she walks herself into that obstacle course, signing up to be used by her family as ATN's "sock puppet girl-boss president."

From Salon • Dec. 6, 2021

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