sock puppet

[ sok-puhp-it ]

/ ˈsɒk ˌpʌp ɪt /

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noun

a hand puppet made out of a sock.

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

Also called sock . a false name or identity assumed by an internet user, often to communicate favorable or self-serving comments or used to create a mythical rival with whom that user can successfully argue online.
Also called sock, sock account . an online user account created for such purposes.

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“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

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Also sock·pup·pet .

Origin of sock puppet

1959 for def. 1; 1990–95 for def. 2

OTHER WORDS FROM sock puppet

sock-puppet, verb (used without object), sock-pup·pet·ed, sock-pup·pet·ing.

Words nearby sock puppet

sockeye salmon, sock in, sock it to, sock lining, socko, sock puppet, sock suspender, socle, socman, Socotra, Socrates

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use sock puppet in a sentence

There’s no fraud, there are no bots, there’s no sock puppets.
As influencer marketing grows, one agency startup targets your friends and neighbors to win you over|Michael Bürgi|May 21, 2021|Digiday
Two and a half years ago this was just a sock, underwear and a lounge kind of company.
The Hot Designer Who Hates Fashion: VK Nagrani Triumphs His Own Way|Tom Teodorczuk|December 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Based on his sock puppet, I expected him to be a burly bearded giant clad in plaid—basically, a Canadian Paul Bunyan.
Canada’s Subversive Sock Puppet: Ed the Sock Isn’t Afraid to Say Anything|Soraya Roberts|November 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A food court in a suburban mall seemed like a good place to meet Ed the Sock.
Canada’s Subversive Sock Puppet: Ed the Sock Isn’t Afraid to Say Anything|Soraya Roberts|November 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Still, Ed the Sock is more active on Twitter these days, where he has more than 14 thousand followers.
Canada’s Subversive Sock Puppet: Ed the Sock Isn’t Afraid to Say Anything|Soraya Roberts|November 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The duo first met in 1997 when Kerzner was playing Ed the Sock live.
Canada’s Subversive Sock Puppet: Ed the Sock Isn’t Afraid to Say Anything|Soraya Roberts|November 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The boy was hurt; my heart went out to him, for the memory of my own sock-ball and tickley-bender days came back to me.
The Soldier of the Valley|Nelson Lloyd
"I was playin' sock-ball," snuffled the boy, and a solitary tear rolled down his snub nose.
The Soldier of the Valley|Nelson Lloyd
The puppet had been torn from Mazaroff's hands; those compromising papers had vanished from Countess Saens's drawer.
The Weight of the Crown|Fred M. White
I have heard of puppet rulers before—woman whom I am delighted to learn has a human heart after all.
Valley of the Croen|Lee Tarbell
A number of persons were assembled in the tap-room of the inn, where a man was exhibiting a puppet-show.
Rudy and Babette|Hans Christian Andersen

British Dictionary definitions for sock puppet

sock puppet

noun

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

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

Derived forms of sock puppet

sock puppeteer, nounsock puppetry, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012