Definition

1. Noun:
   • A movable doll or figure: A puppet is a doll or model of a person or animal, typically with a hollow head and a cloth body, designed to be worn on the hand and manipulated by the fingers of the puppeteer.
   • A marionette: A puppet can also be a small figure of a person or animal, moved by strings or wires controlled from above by a puppeteer.
   • A person under external control: Figuratively, a puppet is a person, group, or government whose actions are entirely controlled by a more powerful person or force, often to carry out undesirable or dishonest tasks.

Usage and Examples

• Literal meaning (a doll/figure):
  • The children laughed as the puppet danced on the stage.
  • She made a simple puppet from a sock and two buttons for eyes.
• Figurative meaning (a controlled person):
  • The dictator installed a puppet government in the conquered territory.
  • He was merely a puppet, with the crime boss pulling all the strings from behind the scenes.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "Puppet state" or "puppet regime": A government that is outwardly independent but is in fact controlled by a foreign power.
  • Historians often refer to that administration as a puppet regime of its larger neighbor.
• "Puppet master": The person who secretly controls a puppet (either literal or figurative).
  • The investigation aimed to uncover the puppet master behind the corrupt officials.

Variants and Related Words

• Puppeteer (noun): A person who operates puppets.
  • The puppeteer's skill made the characters seem alive.
• Puppetry (noun): The art of making or operating puppets.
  • She studied puppetry and now creates shows for schools.

Synonyms

• Marionette: Specifically a puppet operated by strings.
• Figurehead: A leader in name only, without real power (similar to the figurative sense).
• Stooge: A person used by another for their own purposes, especially a comedian's partner or a person involved in a dishonest scheme.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• To be a puppet on a string: To be completely controlled by someone else.
  • The CEO was just a puppet on a string for the board of directors.
• Puppet show: A performance using puppets.
  • We took the kids to a wonderful puppet show at the library.

Noun

1. a doll with a hollow head of a person or animal and a cloth body; intended to fit over the hand and be manipulated with the fingers
2. a person who is controlled by others and is used to perform unpleasant or dishonest tasks for someone else
3. a small figure of a person operated from above with strings by a puppeteer